James Harden Says His Relationship With “Liar” Daryl Morey Can’t Be Fixed
The NBA season hasn’t even begun, and it’s already full of drama.
But much of said drama facing the league now is caused by the contentious relationship between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers’ president of basketball operations.
Harden’s been pulling GOAT stunts all summer, but now he’s finally opened up about his actual beef with Morey.
He begins by saying he still expects to play this season but doesn’t think he and Morey will ever be on good terms again.
“No. This is not even about this situation — this is in life,” Harden told ESPN. “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.”
#Sixers PG James Harden said he had a relation with the front office (not referring Daryl Morey by name) for 10 years. Asked if he thinks it can repaired, Harden said, “No.” Then he explains why: pic.twitter.com/iTIlktx5Z1
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 13, 2023
Harden is careful never to mention Morey by name, instead referring to him as the “front office” as he hammers home that the relationship goes back over a decade and is bigger than basketball.
It was 11 years ago, amid Morey’s tenure as the Houston Rockets GM, when he helped enact a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire Harden. With the young core of Harden, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook broken up, Harden began to grow into his own and became an offensive powerhouse. Now, after winning the NBA MVP award in 2018, the relationship with Morey has soured.
“Me and the front office had a very, very good relationship for a decade,” Harden said. “There was constant communication, you know what I mean? There was no communication once we lost.”
Harden did opt into his $35.6 million player option over the summer but immediately requested a trade, which has yet to be granted. Not to say he hasn’t tried, like when he called Morey a liar while attending an event in China and added that he could “never be a part of an organization that he’s [Morey] a part of.” Then, days later, in an interview with KHOU 11 News Houston, he said his relationship with Morey and the 76ers “is beyond repair.”
But now that time has passed, it appears he’s making it work for now and looks to ramp up his preseason play to prep for the 2023-24 season just weeks away.
See how social media’s reacting to Harden speaking on his disdain for Morey below.
1.
I’m sorry but Morey & Harden are starting to sound like Jada & Will at this point….. pic.twitter.com/EuJPxDHAm2
— Former Legal Expert For Remington Steele (@IamGregordeee) October 13, 2023
2.
James Harden to Tobias Harris on how he plans to make Daryl Morey trade him to the Clippers by showing up to training camp. pic.twitter.com/a83hImDfSc
— HIMtor Timely (@UnsophGentleman) October 8, 2023
3.
This is probably an unpopular opinion coming from a Sixers fan but I don’t blame Harden for wanting out at all
Morey promised him a max contract to secure his future here after Harden took a $15M pay cut for us last season, then Morey went back on his word
— dean (@DeanScorpion_) October 13, 2023
4.
Daryl Morey after trading Harden for Kai Jones and a first rounder pic.twitter.com/6WGdJ7eApn
— Let Cam Thomas COOK (@juanniboii) October 9, 2023
5.
Michael Rubin is saying that the Sixers have fumbled the James Harden situation
Is this more an indictment on Darryl Morey, Elton Brand, the organization at large, or the mechanics of free agency?
— The Treach & Romeo News Podcast (@thetrnpodcast) October 11, 2023
6.
Morey still hasn’t gotten a Harden trade done and we got a game tomorrow pic.twitter.com/a5hsrUNZdO
— Jah (@RipSlumpy) October 7, 2023
7.
Morey and Harden bozo showdown is one for the history books
— Fremen Jake (@Handsome_Jake_) October 13, 2023
8.
Daryl Morey and James Harden right now pic.twitter.com/5N86W9LRtT
— BetMGM (@BetMGM) October 13, 2023
9.
I hope the #sixers trade James Harden before opening night. Daryl Morey has to realize the offers are NOT going to get better than a 1st Rd pick, 2 pick swaps + expiring contracts. Daryl Morey playing hardball is a joke at this point. Wasting another year with Embiid
— Pete Toal (@PTsports84) October 15, 2023
10.
Morey being petty because Harden keeps publicly speaking on him this has the potential to end bad…just trade him to the Clippers and get it over with https://t.co/PCG15dU5Op
— D W (@coolscoob1984) October 16, 2023
11.
Sounds like James Harden is saying to Daryl Morey… pic.twitter.com/szevORYqfY
— Strictly 4 My X’ers (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) October 13, 2023
13.
James Harden and Daryl Morey right now. pic.twitter.com/cyrW4vS9eD
— 3 the Hardaway (@3theHardawayPod) October 13, 2023
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