The James Harden trade saga has cast a shadow over the Philadelphia 76ers’ offseason. The former MVP is angling to be moved to the LA Clippers, but the 76ers seem in no rush to send Harden to his preferred destination.
They’ve had to operate in the offseason with the Harden confusion hanging over their heads. Patrick Beverley was signed as a backup guard on the roster, and the former Lakers made an impassioned plea to Harden for him to stay in Philly.
“James, I love you, bro. Stay! James is a really good friend of mine, one of my best friends. Me coming to the NBA with Houston, it was me and him, six years, my starting buddy, I’ve been there with James. I’m excited to get it going, he knows I’m here, so we’ll see.”
"James, I love you, bro. Stay!" 🤗@patbev21 already making an impact in Philly. 💪 pic.twitter.com/nsmWI5zv0h
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 10, 2023
Beverley entered the NBA as a member of the Rockets during Harden’s prime with the team. PatBev joined in 2013 and was on the roster until being traded for Chris Paul on the Clippers in 2017. Beverley blossomed into an All-Defense caliber guard with the Clippers but has been a journeyman in recent years. He has played for the Wolves, Lakers, and Bulls in the last two seasons.
Will James Harden Start The Season As A 76er?
Even though it seems that Philly needs to move off Harden soon, they have time until February to make their decision. Unless Harden refuses to show up to camp or plays unmotivated basketball to force the 76ers’ hand, he should start the season in Philly and get a chance to show the league why he’s worth the max contract he wants next summer.
Harden can’t afford to sit out after seeing the market show no interest in him this summer, after a season where he led the league in assists. Unless some team blows Philly away with a package that protects their cap flexibility next season and gives them future assets, it will not make sense for the notoriously stubborn Daryl Morey to get pennies for a premium guard.
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