Sixers have reportedly ended trade talks for James Harden

The Philadelphia 76ers are no longer engaged in trade talks for James Harden, according to a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Sixers expect the star guard to report for preseason training camp, though The Athletic reported that he does not plan to participate. NBA training camps are slated to open on Oct. 3. The first preseason game for the Sixers is on the road Oct. 8 against the Boston Celtics.

Harden made it clear he wanted to be traded after he picked up the $35.6 million player option on his contract in June. The Sixers began working with Harden to find a new destination for him, with the L.A. Clippers being floated as an interested party. Harden reiterated his desire to be moved to members of the Sixers’ front office throughout the summer.

But with the Sixers unable to find a satisfactory deal, it appears Harden might not get his wish. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey was unwilling to make any trade that he believed would hurt the Sixers’ chances at an NBA title run.

“But the reality is, if we do look at a trade, it’s going to be for one of two things,” Morey said in July on The Anthony Gargano Show on WPEN-FM 97.5 The Fanatic. “It’s either going to be for a player who continues to help us be right there like we were last year, up, 3-2, on one of the best teams in the East in the Celtics.”

This isn’t the first time that Harden has demanded to be traded. In 2020, Harden indicated he wanted out of Houston after eight seasons with the Rockets, leading to a trade to the Nets. A year later, Harden requested a trade from Brooklyn, and the Sixers acquired him on Feb. 10, 2022, in a deal that sent beleaguered guard Ben Simmons to the Nets.