Yesterday, it was announced that James Harden would be opting into his player option with the Philadelphia 76ers to ultimately seek a trade to find a long term deal with another team. 

James Harden is expected to pick up his $36.5 million player option for this year and work with the Sixers’ brass to find a suitable trade partner.

Read More: James Harden to opt-in to player option with 76ers and seek trade >>

While I never wanted James Harden to return after yet another disappointing season of Philadelphia 76ers basketball, I did not expect this to be how it ended and honestly, it’s beyond ridiculous we are at this point with this basketball team.

Yesterday, I tweeted out last night that I have never been so disgusted with a Philly sports team than I am with the Philadelphia 76ers and I actually meant that. 

A lot of followers on Twitter took that as I’m upset with James Harden agreeing to opt in to his player option while seeking a trade to land a long term deal somewhere else, but that’s really not the point I was attempting to make. 

There were multiple reports yesterday regarding Harden and potential trade suitors, which we can certainly get into later, but the one headline that caught my eye came from Shams when he said the following about the Sixers organization. 

“The Sixers did not see a long term future with James Harden.”

That is a major problem for the way that Daryl Morey and the 76ers’ front office conducts business. 

If James Harden was never a long term solution here in Philadelphia, then seriously, what in the actual fuck were were doing the last year and a half?

Obviously the Sixers had to rid themselves of Ben Simmons. That goes without question. However, the song and dance that came with Harden joining this team, how he was committed to play in Philly long term, and whatever other bullshit we were fed that made us believe this basketball team would get over the hump. 

Meanwhile, the Sixers reportedly turned down multiple offers from other teams that could have brought a package of players to Philly for Ben Simmons. 

If you recall, the Sixers reportedly turned down an offer from the Sacramento Kings that would have brought Tyrese Halliburton, Buddy Hield, and Harrison Barnes to Philly in exchange for Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Matisse Thybulle. 

Instead, we got Harden on a 1.5 year loan. Matisse Thybulle was shipped out at the deadline for Jalen McDaniels, who the Sixers haven’t managed to reach a new deal with, Tobias Harris is calling Sixers’ fans “casuals” as trade rumors make their rounds and now James Harden is expected to be traded at some point this summer. 

While Harden opting in and expecting to be traded is now the best possible outcome for the Sixers, the overall picture still stinks. We are yet again going into the offseason with a new coach and a new team build around Joel Embiid and presumably Tyrese Maxey. 

While I’m not completely waving the white flag on the Sixers, it’s extremely frustrating that we are going through this. 

Harden getting traded and the Sixers’ landing a superstar in return would be the best possible option, obviously but I have my doubts it will be as great as everyone expecting. I definitely hope I’m wrong and we find Damian Lillard in Philly, but I’m not holding my breath. 

Harden, who is reportedly “frustrated” with the Sixers for handling it this way, could have easily walked right into NBA free agency and found a new longterm contract but that didn’t happen.

Why? 

My guess is that no one wants to give him that type of contract.

Who knows how true the Houston Rockets rumors were that we dealt with throughout last season. If there was a deal on the table, Harden would have never opted in to his player option. 

• Los Angeles Clippers (Paul George Unavailable)
• New York Knicks (Who Cares)
• Chicago Bulls (LaVine, DeRozan Available)
• Portland Trail Blazers (Dame Available)

We’ll see how it all shakes out but honestly, I would much rather just wait until we have answers and focus my sports attention on the Phillies.

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