James Harden participated in practice at Sixers training camp: ‘We expect him to be here now’

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — What’s next for James Harden and the 76ers?

The star participated in the majority of Wednesday’s training camp practice one day after landing in the Lilac City and joining his teammates at Colorado State University.

“He looked good,” new coach Nick Nurse said. “He looked like physically in good shape.”

The Sixers said Harden was far from a distraction after it was previously thought that he would make things uncomfortable so that the Sixers would eventually trade him.

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After all, Harden’s plan to seek a trade is the reason for the uncertainty surrounding him entering the week.

Harden did not address teammates or explain his situation at camp. Nurse and the players didn’t think an explanation was warranted. However, Nurse spoke to the three-time scoring champion right before practice.

Asked if the expectation is for Harden to continue participating in practices moving forward, Nurse said he thinks so.

“Yeah, he’s here,” the coach said. “He knows the schedule, and we expect him to be here now. I think we can wait and see on all that stuff, but …”

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But is there every indication that he will remain with the team until the situation is resolved?

“Every indication,” Nurse said, “is that he’s here, yeah.”

Harden exited the gym before the media entered and was not available to speak.

But the Sixers’ social media account posted a picture of him high-fiving assistant coach Rico Hines as another assistant reached out to shake his hand.

“His participation, in my opinion, is addressing that he’s here,” Tobias Harris said. ”His attitude and his energy allowed everybody to understand that he wants to go out here and compete with us and get stuff done.”

This comes two months after Harden said, “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s part of.”

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When the 34-year-old guard opted into his $35.6 million player option for this season on June 29, he did so with the expectation that Morey would trade him, preferably to Harden’s hometown Los Angeles Clippers.

But there was no traction on a deal, leading the Sixers to break off trade negotiations in August. At the time, they expected Harden to return to the team.

“Everybody in here understands the business of it as well,” Harris said of Harden’s situation. “He’s not in here disrespecting any of his teammates in any type of fashion.

“So, at the end of the day, we are out here to play basketball and do our job, represent the city, and help bring a championship to Philadelphia.”