October 18, 2023
On the heels of the report that James Harden was a "no show" at Sixers practice on Wednesday comes a new wrinkle in the Harden saga.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Clippers, Harden's desired trade destination, and the Sixers have a "sizable gap" when it comes to the negotiating table:
Teams have talked in recent days but a sizable gap remains in 76ers and Clippers negotiations on a James Harden trade, sources tell ESPN. There’s been little movement for months on a deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2023
The fact that Wojnarowski mentions that the two teams have been talking in recent days is a plus for Sixers fans out there who just want to rip the Band-Aid off and have this ordeal be over. I would echo that sentiment. With a barrage of second-round exits and playoff disappointments over the last half-decade, apathy is starting to sink in even with the team having the reigning NBA MVP in Joel Embiid. How badly do you have to screw up as a franchise to have an All-World player and still see Philadelphians turning a blind eye to your team? Astounding stuff.
I don't know when the Harden saga will end. Perhaps it lasts well into the season, as occurred during Ben Simmons' final year with the Sixers. Daryl Morey is always going to attempt to extract as much value as possible in any trade, but the longer Harden sits out ahead of becoming a free agent next summer, we may reach a point of diminishing returns.
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