Sixers, Clippers Expected to Revisit James Harden Trade Talks

Nothing is changed as far as 76ers star guard James Harden is still concerned. He still wants to be traded.

Specifically, Harden is angling for a deal to the Clippers.

Granted, there have been questions about the Clippers’ interest. So far, they reportedly have yet to make a reasonable offer for Harden. It seems they want to get him for just about nothing.

And that’s a fair negotiation tactic. You start low — or in the Clippers’ case, very low. But the Sixers aren’t having it. They want to remain competitive, even contenders, even if they do trade Harden.

So perhaps a third team can be brought in.

Either way, the Clippers and Sixers are expected to revisit talks centered on Harden ahead of training camp, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Harden hasn’t changed his stance, and Sixers president Daryl Morey recently said he will try to find a landing spot. Morey did not mention the Clippers, though.

“James is a very good player. Right now, unfortunately, he does prefer to be somewhere else,” Morey told Philadelphia’s 97.5 FM. ” I do have a long relationship with him. I’m attempting to honor that. But the reality is that if we do look at a trade it’s going to be for one of two things. 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, the Celtics.

“Obviously, we didn’t get it done but James was a big part of why we got it to 3-2. Or we’re going to do it for something where we get enough draft picks and things like that in a deal such that we can then turn those into a player who can be a running mate with (center Joel Embiid), as well.

“If we don’t get either a very good player or something that we can turn into a very good player then we’re just not going to do it. If James were to turn his mind around we would all be thrilled. … But at this moment he does prefer to be traded and we’re attempting to honor that.”