Title: James Harden Considers Playing in China Amidst Fallout with Philadelphia Sixers
Date: August 17, 2023
Author: Jenna Lemoncelli
NBA star James Harden is not limiting his basketball future to the continental United States, as he hinted at the possibility of playing in China during a recent press event with Adidas basketball, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The disgruntled Philadelphia Sixers point guard, who caused controversy by calling team executive Daryl Morey “a liar,” expressed his love for China and suggested that the fans there deserve to watch him play.
Harden, a 10-time NBA All-Star, has been enjoying his time in China, engaging with fans and even filming TikTok videos. This comes as tensions between Harden and Morey continue to rise. Morey, the former Houston Rockets GM, faced backlash in 2019 after expressing support for pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong. Although the message was later deleted, it sparked controversy and strained the relationship between Morey and China.
Harden’s recent verbal attack on Morey during the press event in China further escalated the feud. The 33-year-old reiterated his stance, stating, “Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” This public spat comes after the Sixers attempted to honor Harden’s trade request but were unable to secure a deal with his preferred destination being the Los Angeles Clippers.
Reports suggest that Harden’s frustration stems from a lack of a long-term max contract offer from Morey and feeling left in the dark during the offseason. In 2022, Harden took a $15 million pay cut, declining a $47.4 million player option with the Sixers and signing a $33 million deal for the 2022-23 season. As tensions escalate, it has been reported that Harden no longer wants to play for the Sixers and has no plans to participate in training camp.
Amidst the fallout between Harden and the Sixers, some NBA stars have expressed support for the disgruntled point guard. Sixers veteran P.J. Tucker shared a photo of himself with Harden on Instagram, displaying solidarity. Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who previously played with Harden in Brooklyn, took issue with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski referring to Harden as “disgruntled.” Former Sixers star Andre Iguodala also weighed in, highlighting the leverage that Harden has in the situation due to Morey’s history with China.
Despite the mounting tension and public statements, Harden has yet to directly address the reports about his fallout with the Sixers. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact his future in the NBA and whether he will indeed explore opportunities to play in China.