- Josh Harris would like to convince James Harden to stay
- Harris understands it is not what Harden wants right now
- Harris wants to resolve the situation in a way that benefits all parties
The Philadelphia 76ers have had an offseason to forget due to the whole James Harden saga. Team owner Josh Harris finally addressed the situation recently, and he is hoping to find a solution that benefits everyone.
“Listen, we’re hard at work,” Harris said. “I respect James. I want to, obviously, accommodate what he wants. At the same time, I have to think about a championship-contending team, what we can get back. I’d love to convince him to stay. I understand that that’s not what he wants to do right now.
“I’m going to keep working to resolve it in a way that everyone can live with and is positive for everyone, whatever that resolution is. … I respect him as a basketball player, and as a person.”
It’s in a way what you’d expect Harris to say in this situation. His stance is the same as team President Daryl Morey’s, in the sense that they are only going to trade the 2018 MVP if they get good pieces in return.
Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in the 2022-23 season, and they won’t move him for pennies on the dollar.
While Harris is going to try to fix things, Harden believes it is too late to repair the relationship with the 76ers. Once the 10-time All-Star called Morey a liar in public, it just seemed like there was no going back.
Bill Simmons Thinks James Harden’s Best Shot At Winning A Title Is With The 76ers
Harden is determined to leave the 76ers, but Bill Simmons thinks that is a mistake. He stated on the Bill Simmons Podcast that the 76ers could be great if he stays and performs up to expectations.
“If you just come back with Nick Nurse and you’re happy, I actually think they could be the 1 seed,” Simmons said. “But, he could also torpedo it and it could be a disaster. But, what is the better situation for him?”
The Los Angeles Clippers have been Harden’s preferred destination but Simmons thinks it would be a mistake to go there.
“You’re going to go to the Clippers and play with load-management Kawhi (Leonard),” Simmons continued. “You’re going to play with this goofy Clipper team that’s never done jacks***? That’s a better situation than playing in Philly with Embiid and Nick Nurse? I don’t get it.
Simmons believes Harden’s best shot at winning a title is if he stays with the 76ers.
“I think it’s really weird. It’s weird that he doesn’t see that it’s the best situation, which makes me not trust him as a basketball entity. Where, does he want to win a title? I don’t even know. Because if he wants to win a title, stay in Philly.”
(starts at 54:17 mark):
Simmons makes some good points, but Harden just no longer seems to trust the 76ers. He may know deep down that staying gives him his best shot at winning, but that sense of betrayal just means he wants out no matter what.
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