James Harden requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers back in June after picking up his $35.6 million player option. Today there is little to no noise on any potential trade partner and Harden has reluctantly shown up to the teams training camp in Colorado after missing media day & day one of camp, in an effort to force through a move.

So, why has no move been made? Is it because the 76ers want to keep their All-Star guard & are asking for too much or is it just a case that there really isn't a market for a player like James Harden in the NBA today? I believe it's the latter.

James Harden started off his career as a sixth man in Oklahoma City, before making the switch to Houston and becoming one of the most dominant players of his generation, winning League MVP & multiple scoring titles, he was the man. But when he decided he was finished with the Rockets in 2021, his time as 'the man' for a contending team was finished. Similar to that of Russell Westbrook, when he left the Thunder to join Harden in Houston in 2019. However he appears to have accepted his role in the league today but it seems Harden has not.

Like Harden, Westbrook is a former League MVP & scoring champion but when he was exploring his options this off-season, as a free agent, he realized the only way to stay on a competitor was to accept that a big contract wasn't coming his way & that he was no longer a superstar in this league (Russ signed a 2yr/$7.8m deal with the Clippers in July). Yes Harden led the league in assists last year and is still a very capable player in this league but he want's the keys to a franchise again, to be the lead scorer and superstar but nobody wants to give him that license because they know it will not deliver success.

Harden averaged 21 points & 10.7 assists last season, while shooting nearly 40% from three. All-Star numbers but once again in the playoffs he flattered to deceive despite a couple of memorable performances/shots, shooting below 40% from the field. The 76ers playoff disappointment was not all down to Harden of course but he certainly didn't show enough to convince Philly or anyone else he deserved a max contract.

In today's NBA James Harden is a facilitator/secondary scorer, no more no less, SIMPLE. Still a very valuable asset but a role he refuses to accept, the best thing for him would be to stay in Philadelphia, be professional and figure out the future next summer when he becomes a free agent. Maybe by then he'll realize that if he wants to compete atop the NBA he has to do it as 2nd or 3rd option(which would be the case if he joins the Clippers). If he wants to be the guy, then maybe he should go to China because he will never be that in the NBA again!

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Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

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