It’s easy to be pessimistic about the Sixers’ outlook in 2023-24. James Harden picked up his $35.6 million player option with the intention of being traded, yet he remains in Philadelphia for the time being. True to form, Sixers president Daryl Morey is already posturing about what he will and won’t accept in return for Harden in a trade.
Harden wants the Sixers to trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Clippers don’t appear especially inclined to meet Morey’s asking price. PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck said they’ve been “fairly unserious about what they’re willing to give up” for Harden, and multiple reporters have mentioned their reticence to part with Terance Mann in such a deal.