Harden's relationship with Morey soured last summer when his contract demands weren't met. That could potentially affect the Sixers' pursuit of George, who plays alongside Harden with the Clippers.
James Harden considers Daryl Morey ‘a liar’ and Paul George a teammate. Will that complicate Sixers’ free agency?
That complicated relationship is just one intriguing layer to the Sixers’ pursuit of Paul George, who played alongside Harden this past season. It’s hard to imagine they did not discuss how Harden’s relationship with Morey deteriorated., the nine-time All-NBA swingman talked about how league executives’ reputations — including the Morey and Harden situation — can impact free agency.
But while those accounts are important, it’s Harden whose opinion will be held in higher regard. Harden and Morey were linked to each other after their work together that dates back to the Rockets. As Houston’s general manager, Morey acquired Harden via a trade with the Thunder in October 2012. Then, two summers ago, Harden took a pay cut to help Morey and the Sixers with salary-cap flexibility. Harden took $15 million less and signed a two-year deal with a player option in the second year after he opted out of a $47.36 million player option for the 2022-23 season.By picking up that option, the perennial All-NBA selection would have been eligible to sign a four-year, $233 million contract extension that would pay him $61.7 million in the 2026-27 season.
Even if the Sixers did negotiate a deal, would the annual salary be more than the $35.6 million Harden picked up on June 29? Sources have said the Sixers were not willing to hinder the team’s short- or long-term future by overpaying for Harden.“People are going to disagree, but we never got to a point to even discuss contracts with him, and I know people are saying this and that and everything,” Morey said in May.
Harden missed media day and the first day of Sixers training camp. He rarely scrimmaged, did not participate in any preseason games, and missed the season-opening loss at the Milwaukee Bucks before being traded to the Clippers.
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