Trading James Harden only for player who keeps 76ers competitive – Daryl Morey

Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey has revealed James Harden wants to be traded but also highlighted that the team will only trade him for a player who will keep the team competitive for the next season of the NBA.

Harden opted into his $35.6 million deal for the 2023-24 season with an option of being traded. However, Harden now wants to be traded and reportedly it is the LA Clippers he wants to play for.

Morey said he wants to honor James Harden’s request but he will only do it at a price that will suit the Philadelphia 76ers.

“If we don’t get either a very good player or something we can turn into a very good player, then we’re just not going to do it,” Morey told The Fanatic, according to the Philly Voice. “If James were to turn his mind around, we would all be thrilled. You’ve heard [Joel Embiid’s] comments about that. But at this moment, he prefers to be traded, and we are attempting to honor that.”

In fact, recently Philadelphia 76ers other talisman Joe Embiid claimed he wants to win the NBA Championship, whether it is with his current team or with some other side, thereby sparking a question mark on his future at the franchise.

“We need to make sure that Joel Embiid, who is one of the best players on Earth, has a top running mate,” Morey said.

“We know we need more talent, whether that’s James returning or what we turn James into.”

The Sixers have already lost the services of Jalen McDaniels, Shake Milton, and Georges Niang. Morey added they are trying to assemble the best team possible that can go all the way in the next season.

“So what we’re attempting to do is have the best team possible this year but also have the ability that, if we get into a next season situation, to be a very unique team with the most cap room of a team that’s as good as us,” Morey said.