By Tommy Matthews
Sixers boss Daryl Morey went all-in to get his guy, James Harden back in February 2022.
Now the former MVP is going all-in to get out of town.
Harden has asked for a trade, Morey couldn’t find one that worked for the team, and it sets up what could be an ugly showdown at training camp, which is less than ideal for a title contender like the 76ers.
However, the real pressure comes from the threat of Joel Embiid saying he has had enough and asking out — he turns 30 this season, he knows his window isn’t going to be open much longer, and he wants to win.
As evidence, here is what Embiid said this offseason:
“I just want to win a championship. Whatever it takes. I don’t know where that’s gonna be, whether it’s in Philly or anywhere else, I just want to have a chance to accomplish that.”
Other teams are circling like vultures because if things go sideways in Philly again this season, the reigning MVP could ask for a trade. That’s real pressure to figure out the Harden mess and win a bunch of games.
