The Philadelphia 76ers would like James Harden to return to the team next season if they are unable to trade him, but sources tell Kyle Neubeck of the Philly Voice “there’s still a rift between him/[his camp] and management, and there is a growing expectation that rift could lead to an even uglier battle.”
The trade position of the Sixers has been described by rival executives as “unreasonable.”
Sources tell Neubeck that the Sixers want to get a return for Harden that either keeps them in the same tier of contention, or to make a trade with enough assets they can flip for another high level player.
The Sixers do not want to take a step back this season.
Harden’s trade market beyond the Los Angeles Clippers is unclear.