National Basketball Association

James Harden reportedly still away from 76ers; status for team's opener unclear

Updated Oct. 23, 2023 12:08 p.m. ET

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden remains away from the team, and it is "increasingly unclear" if he'll be available in their season opener against the Bucks, ESPN reported Monday. The 76ers practice on Monday for the first time since their preseason finale, which Harden missed due to a personal matter, according to the team.

Harden, who demanded a trade at the start of the offseason after picking up his player option, reported to the 76ers at the start of training camp. However, he missed both of the team's practices on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

Prior to the start of training camp, Harden signaled that he wouldn't play for the 76ers again despite still being under contract, saying that he would "never be a part of an organization" that general manager Daryl Morey was a part of. Harden reiterated those feelings earlier this month.

"No," Harden told reporters when asked if his relationship with Morey was salvageable on Oct. 13. "This is not even about this situation – this is in life.

"When you lose trust in someone, it's like a marriage ... you lose trust in someone, you know what I mean? It's pretty simple."

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Harden told reporters on that same day that he hoped to play in the 76ers' preseason finale, but that did not happen.

76ers coach Nick Nurse told reporters last week that he's been preparing for the possibility of playing without Harden for some time now.

"Lots of thought has gone into him not playing and preparing the team that way this summer," Nurse said. "I keep saying, ‘there is another plan if something changes.’ I don't think it's affected us very much at all. We've just gone out and played, and we're going to have to go out and play the way we're trying to play. I think that is without [him] until something changes."

Harden has requested to be traded to the LA Clippers. As of last week, both sides were reportedly at an impasse in trade talks due to the Clippers' desire to not trade Terance Mann.

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