MOSCOW, Oct. 14 Ten-time National Basketball Association All-Star (NBA) James Harden said that he wanted to finish his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, but the club's management had no such plans.
In mid-August, Harden called club president Daryl Morey a liar and said that he would never be part of the organization he represents. It was previously reported that Harden agreed to a $35.6 million contract extension with Philadelphia for next season in order to avoid becoming a free agent. At the same time, the club’s management promised to work together on scenarios for his exchange to another team. The NBA later fined the basketball player $100,000 for his remarks.
“»It's all about trust in people whom you have known for more than ten years. When I was traded here, I wanted to finish my career with the Sixers. But this was not the plan of the club management. You need to talk about my trade with the management «I just work hard and love basketball. So I just work in the gym and give it my all. That's all I can control,» Harden was quoted as saying by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
«Is it possible to restore a relationship? No. It's not even about the situation, but about life. When you lose trust in someone, it's like in a marriage. When you stop trusting someone, everything is very simple,» he added basketball player.
In 2022, Harden was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to Philadelphia, where he signed a two-year contract worth $68 million with the option to negotiate a new agreement as a free agent. Also in the NBA, the basketball player played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, where he spent most of his career.