- Former NBA guard says Daryl Morey is still in the ‘driver’s seat’ in Philadelphia
- Hardaway encourages Harden to come to training camp and bury the hatchet
- Harden’s plans could backfire if he’s fined for missing games
No matter how the situation might look in Philadelphia, franchise GM Daryl Morey still has leverage in the James Harden saga. As NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. pointed out on Sirius XM NBA Radio this Saturday, Morey ultimately has the most control in this ongoing battle.
“He [Morey] is in the driver’s seat right now. He don’t have to trade you,” said Hardaway Sr. “He can see what you going to do and if you don’t come to training camp he can fine you every day that you don’t come, he can fine you every game that you don’t play. So Daryl Morey is in the driver’s seat right now even though you are that upset.”
According to Harden, he and Morey had a handshake agreement to a new max extension before this summer, which is why he was surprised when no such offer came his way last month. Even still, Harden opted into the final year of his deal and Morey is under no obligation to make a deal before February’s trade deadline.
“Even though he made a promise and didn’t give it to you, you have to understand that it happens,” said Hardaway. “I would have went in his office and spoke to him and we would have had a nice conversation. There would have been some cursing going on, some back and forth going on, but I think they could have gotten something hashed out.”
“I would have went in his office and spoke to him”
Tim Hardaway Sr. shares his thoughts on the latest news surrounding James Harden and Daryl Morey in Philadelphia@JumpShot8 | @GeraldBlss | #BrotherlyLove pic.twitter.com/WhKHEL7hiM
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 19, 2023
A few weeks ago, reconciliation may have been possible between Morey and Harden, but that seems impossible now after James publicly outed him as a “lair” while promising never to play for his team again.
So far, no type of trade for James has materialized and the 76ers have apparently shut down all trade talks involving the All-Star guard.
Will Harden Ever Play For The Sixers Again?
In Houston and Brooklyn, Harden was able to successfully get his way by playing hardball and becoming a major disruption. In Philly, his plan is to do the same until the environment becomes so toxic, the team is essentially forced to kick him off the roster.
It remains to be seen if Morey will give in, but it’s important to note that this is not his first rodeo either. In the Ben Simmons trade a while ago, he was able to come out on top of the situation despite an ugly turn of events.
This time, however, he may not be so lucky and Joel Embiid might end up without a co-star once again.
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