Following his notable absence on media day, James Harden has joined the Philadelphia 76ers at coaching camp in Fort Collins, Colorado, collaborating in drills all over every of the primary two days of apply. But that does not imply he is a contented camper.
According to a recent report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Harden’s trade request nonetheless stands in spite of him being “an engaged and positive participant” at coaching camp. Head decision-maker Daryl Morey has refused, so far, to ship Harden to his desired vacation spot of the LA Clippers, making it transparent that he would possibly not make a transfer till his ticket is met.
To that time, Morey and the 76ers reportedly rejected a Clippers be offering previous this summer season. Per Amick:
The Clippers introduced the Sixers an unprotected first-round select, a select change and salaries for Harden in July, league resources say, however Philadelphia has set a far upper threshold. The Sixers have valued fifth-year ahead Terance Mann and a couple of first-round choices in a possible trade with the Clippers, resources added. Mann, who averaged 8.8 issues and three.4 rebounds a season in the past, has change into a prospect of passion for groups over the last couple years.
As the Clippers scramble to put in combination a extra horny package deal, they have contacted a number of groups about shifting select swaps to acquire further draft capital, in accordance to Amick’s report. Parting with Mann can be difficult, because the vigorous 26-year-old can fill a couple of roles and is a 38% 3-point shooter for his profession. He’s additionally probably the most few Clippers who has been ready to keep at the courtroom constantly, lacking simply two video games over the last two seasons.
It’s a excellent news/unhealthy news scenario for Harden. On one hand, he will have to feel free that there is nonetheless sufficient passion from the Clippers for them to be exploring further avenues for a trade. On the opposite hand, he cannot be happy to see that the 2 facets are nonetheless some distance away with the common season set to start in not up to 3 weeks.
By collaborating in camp, Harden is heading off being fined, like we noticed with Ben Simmons a pair years in the past. Amick additionally reviews that Harden believes that inflicting a distraction would no longer be his best possible plan of action as he holds out hope {that a} trade is at the horizon.
“He’s here. He’s practicing with us, and, you know, that’s all we know,” Joel Embiid stated of Harden on Thursday. “But like I said, we’re not focused on that. We’re just trying to focus on getting the offense together, and the defense together, figuring out how to play together.”