James Harden, after an extended absence, has rejoined the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he has been requested not to travel with the team for their upcoming road trip, which encompasses their season opener against Milwaukee.
According to Shams Charania’s report, Harden returned on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time) with his bags packed, indicating his intention to join the team on the road for their games against Milwaukee on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) and Toronto on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time). Nevertheless, the team has requested that he not accompany them on the trip.
Another report by Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that Harden had reported for practice the following day and that the plan for him is to stay in the Camden practice facility and work with the team development staff to attain the live action necessary in preparation for playing games once the Sixers have returned from their road trip.
The star point guard and shooting guard had not been attending practices during the preseason since October 15. The team attributed Harden’s absence to a personal matter.
He has had a tumultuous offseason with the Sixers, having opted into his $35.6 million player option and subsequently requested a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers after being unable to receive a long-term contract from the team. Trade talks with the Clippers have halted with the season looming.
A three-time scoring leader and one-time MVP in his career, the 34-year-old guard averaged 21 points, a league-leading 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds on a 44% field goal percentage last season.
The post Harden returns to Philadelphia, not expected to play in opener against Bucks first appeared on Fastbreak.
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