James Harden brands 76ers chief Daryl Morey a ‘liar’ and says he will ‘never’ be a part of his organization again after team ‘ended trade talks’ with LA Clippers
- James Harden has been pushing to leave Philadelphia for the LA Clippers
- Last week, however, it emerged that the Sixers had ended trade talks over him
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
James Harden has sensationally branded 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a ‘liar’ and vowed never to be work for the same organization as him again as the guard’s attempt to leave Philadelphia rumbles on.
Harden, a 10-time All-Star, has been eyeing a move to the Clippers during this offseason after only 18 months with the Sixers.
Last week, though, it emerged that the team had ended trade talks involving Harden after failing to strike a deal with the Clippers.
Instead they were planning bring him back to training camp ahead of the start of the new season.
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On Monday, however, Harden hit back with some remarkable comments at a basketball camp.
James Harden has branded 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a ‘liar’
‘Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,’ he said
‘Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,’ he said.
‘Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.’
Harden and Morey have a long working relationship but that now appears to be fractured beyond repair.
Morey brought him to the Houston Rockets in 2012 before they were reunited again in Philadelphia.
Harden was speaking at an event in China and it is not the first time Morey has become embroiled in a scandal with links to the Far East.
Back in 2019, while general manager with the Rockets, he tweeted his support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
That saga led to claims from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that Chinese officials wanted Morey fired, only for a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry to deny that such a demand was made.
Morey’s tweet was quickly deleted but it nevertheless led to considerable damage to the long and lucrative business relationship between the NBA and China.
Harden, a 10-time All-Star, has been eyeing a move to the Clippers during this offseason
Now he finds himself at the heart of another controversy, this time involving one of the league’s biggest stars.
Harden was sent to Philadelphia in 2022 in exchange for Ben Simmons, who was sent to Brooklyn after he had become embroiled in his own trade standoff with the Sixers.
Back in June, Harden picked up his $35.6million contract option for next season with the 76ers – apparently under the belief that Philadelphia would trade him to his preferred destination.
The 33-year-old could have decided to try for free agency, while the Sixers had the right to offer him a four-year, $210m deal – $8m more than any other team.
But taking free agency would have cost Harden his Bird rights – which allow players to re-sign with their current team in spite of the salary cap.
Nick Nurse, hired as Philadelphia’s coach in May, said back in June: ‘James has a decision to make, and I’d be very happy if he came back.’
Harden declined his $47.4m player option with the 76ers for last season and instead agreed to a two-year deal that will paid him $32m in 2022-23.
