James Harden has taken his war with the 76ers to the next level.
After requesting a trade many times over, Harden, who planned to make things “uncomfortable” with Philadelphia until he is traded, no-showed practice on Wednesday, The Athletic reports.
He has not been present with the team since Sunday, according to the report, and it is unclear “when and if” he will return to the team as he awaits a trade.
This comes just eight days away from the 76ers’ season opener against the Bucks on Oct. 26.
Harden has called general manager Darryl Morey “a liar” and said that he will never play for a team run by him again.
The two seemed to have a solid relationship prior to this.
Morey traded for Harden while running the Rockets and again with the 76ers.
Harden and the Rockets were consistent contenders for years under Morey’s watch.
Harden exercised his option this offseason and is looking for a long-term contract that would pay him upwards of $200 million
He is set to be a free agent after this season but doesn’t appear to be interested in waiting that long for a new deal.
He is slated to make $35.6 million this season as part of a discounted contract that he took last season to help the team sign forward PJ Tucker.
The Clippers have been the most prominent team linked to Harden throughout trade talks this offseason, but a deal has yet to materialize, and there’s been “little movement” on talks between them and the Sixers, ESPN reported Wednesday.
