James Harden made some bold statements recently, accusing Daryl Morey of lying and declaring that he will never be a part of any organization Morey is involved in. However, when we look at the reality of the situation, it becomes clear that Harden is the one failing to face reality.
It seems that Harden is not used to being told “no” after having the power to force his way to where he wants to go for so long. He also seems to have a misconception about contracts, thinking that they only work in his favor. Furthermore, Harden seems to misunderstand his own value and his place in the game.
It is important to remember that Harden opted into a $35.6 million player option earlier this summer, giving him the opportunity to play for a different team without having to worry about the Sixers’ perspective. However, Harden wanted to have it all – he wanted to go to the Clippers and get paid more than his market value. It is not the Sixers’ fault that Harden misjudged his worth in the market.
In fact, Philadelphia valued Harden more than any other team in the league. Only three teams were seriously considering trading for him, and none valued him as highly as the Sixers did.
This situation reflects a larger trend in the league where general managers are becoming less likely to cave to star players’ demands to be traded without receiving a fair deal in return. This can be seen in the case of Damian Lillard wanting to go to the Miami Heat but the Trail Blazers refusing to make a deal.
Teams and general managers have learned from past experiences that giving in to trade demands can often lead to negative consequences for the team and the players involved.
In this particular impasse, Harden seems to be oblivious to a few key facts. First, there is not a strong market for his services at the price the Sixers are asking. Second, his history of forcing his way out of teams raises concerns about what a team would be getting if they traded for him. Third, the Sixers believe that trading Harden for too little in return is similar to him sitting out – and if he sits out, there’s always the chance he might come back. Finally, the Sixers plan to call his bluff and bring him to training camp, challenging him to be the first player to attempt this move in the last year of a deal.
The Sixers cannot force a trade that works for them, but they can prioritize the best interests of their team and avoid giving away value without receiving enough in return.
On top of all this, Harden’s personal attack on Morey, a former friend, may have further damaged his relationship with the organization. It’s clear that this move is not beneficial for his career.
