James Harden’s issues in Philadelphia aren’t limited only to Daryl Morey.
The disgruntled Sixers point guard — whose rift with the team’s president of basketball operations has played out amid a summer standoff — had regular flare-ups with former head coach Doc Rivers and frustrated his locker room by choosing the nightlife over traveling with the team last season, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
The report mentioned one particular instance when Rivers, who was fired after the Sixers’ second round playoff ouster to Celtics, went off on Harden for taking the final three shots in regulation in a double-overtime loss to the lottery-bound Rockets in mid-December.
Although Rivers trusted Harden — and allowed him to call his own number on the final play of regulation by not calling a timeout following a defensive rebound — the point guard simply wasn’t shooting well that night (4-for-19), and center Joel Embiid was dominating with 39 points.
When Rivers questioned Harden in the post-game film session, Harden objected and said he just couldn’t get the ball to Embiid, ESPN reported.
After that, Rivers and Harden reportedly butted heads throughout the season.
In a separate situation reported by ESPN, Rivers called out Harden in a team meeting for traveling separately, with permission from the front office, to enjoy the nightlife following back-to-back losses to the Heat and Celtics.
That reportedly didn’t sit well with Rivers and several players on the team.
During the team meeting, Rivers specifically mentioned the players who expressed concerns about Harden’s actions, a source told ESPN.
The Sixers dismissed Rivers after a disastrous 112-88 loss at Boston in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in May.
It reportedly came down to the fact that Harden didn’t want to play for Rivers — and Morey made it clear that re-signing Harden to a new contract was the team’s top priority.
However, there was a major debate internally about how much and how long of a contract the Sixers should offer Harden, according to ESPN.
The Sixers reportedly had reservations about whether Harden was worth the max contract he wanted, upward of $270 million, after a 2022 trade with Brooklyn — and the former MVP was suspecting they felt that way.
As things grew tense behind-the-scenes in Philadelphia, the rift became apparent when Harden decided to pick up his $35.6 million player option before the June 30 deadline and ask for a trade.
The Sixers reportedly were shocked over Harden’s decision.
As for what played into it?
Morey reportedly wasn’t taking calls from Harden’s camp.
“James felt like Daryl was ghosting him,” one source close to Harden told ESPN. “He felt betrayed.”
The Sixers insisted to Harden and his representatives that they had been quiet only because they had just received the largest tampering fine in NBA history — and emphasized they intended to re-sign him as soon as the rules allowed, according to ESPN.
“James takes things very personally,” another source close to Harden told ESPN. “When he feels like he’s been wronged, he can be very stubborn.”
During a radio interview with 97.5 The Fanatic in July, Morey said “we’d all be thrilled” if Harden rescinded his trade request.
That came before the Sixers ended trade talks with the Clippers — one of Harden’s desired destinations.
However, Harden wasn’t on the same page.
The next month, he publicly blasted Morey, calling him a “liar,” during a press event with Adidas in China.
“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 said on the microphone.
Harden, according to Sports Illustrated, provided that answer after being asked: “What do you think about the current team claiming to end trade talks and trying to bring you back to the team?”
Harden was fined $100,000 by the NBA because his public comments indicated “that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team.”
The NBPA later stated it intended to file a grievance on Harden’s behalf.
As part of the NBA probe into his “liar” comment, Harden told league investigators he was referring to a promise Morey made him that the Sixers would trade him “quickly” following his decision to opt in on his contract in 2023-24, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
After his first season in Philadelphia, Harden took a $14 million pay cut so the team could sign former Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker.
The Sixers had sold Harden and the public on the idea with a narrative about “sacrifice,” according to ESPN, which Harden referenced throughout the season.
That clearly backfired.
What is unclear is whether Harden will join the Sixers when training camp starts at the end of the month.
“The situation with James Harden is unfortunate,” Sixers majority owner Josh Harris told ESPN. “I want this to work out for all sides, including James.
“But we have to keep our eye on the big picture, which is that we’re still a contending team and most teams in the NBA would change places with us in five minutes.”
Embiid has assured the Sixers that he is fine with waiting out the current drama with Harden, according to ESPN, and even invited the guard to his wedding in July.
Both Embiid and fellow guard Tyrese Maxey reportedly have been in touch with Harden throughout the offseason, maintaining their personal relationships.
Sixers Media Day is scheduled for Oct. 2, which gives both sides plenty of time to find a solution.
Philadelphia begins its 2023-24 season on Oct. 26 when it visits the Milwaukee Bucks.
Whether Harden is wearing a Sixers uniform that night remains to be seen.