After 10 days away from the team, James Harden has returned to the 76ers training facility ahead of the team’s practice and flight to Milwaukee for its season-opening game Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Harden publicly demanded a trade from Philadelphia over the offseason and questions on whether he’d play for his current team have been raised.
However, Harden isn’t expected to travel with the team this week, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. He will stay in Philadelphia to continue his ramp up as the dramatic storyline continues to unfurl. Harden arrived in Philadelphia Tuesday night with his bags packed prepared to travel with the team for two road games to start the year but the 76ers asked him to not travel with the team, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
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The offseason plot took a turn when Harden was reportedly spotted in Houston instead of 76ers practice last week—just as he was for the team’s media day. Harden played almost nine seasons in Houston while with the Rockets before he eventually demanded a trade from there as well.
Recently, the 76ers had discussions with Harden’s preferred destination, the Clippers, but did not receive a trade package offer that they were interested in agreeing upon. The two sides met but Wojnarowski reported that a sizable gap remains and that there’s been little movement for months on a potential deal.
It remains unclear if and when Harden will ever play for Philadelphia again.
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