James Harden may be warning teammate Paul George about joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Los Angeles Clippers superstar has drawn strong interest from the 76ers this offseason. However, Harden, has had a tumultuous experience in Philadelphia, which might influence George’s decision.
Last offseason, Harden publicly criticized 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. Despite their long-standing relationship from their time with the Houston Rockets, Harden accused Morey of breaking promises regarding a new deal. Harden expressed his discontent, labeling Morey a liar and vowing never to play for him again.
George hinted at these discussions during his appearance on Podcast P. “Believe it or not, players talk,” George said, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “And then reputations go around, like, ‘Hey man, I don’t know about going to this place, because they… [shoot]. Watch your back, you know what I mean?’ That’s the conversations you have.”
These insights suggest that Harden might have shared his negative experiences with George. This could serve as a caution against joining the 76ers.
The internal dynamics and management issues raised by Harden could be significant factors in George’s decision-making process.
For George, these concerns may outweigh the potential benefits of joining the 76ers. The Clippers, having invested heavily in building a competitive team around George and Kawhi Leonard, want to retain their star.
Goerge has a player option, worth $48.8, for next season. He is eligible to sign an extension this offseason.
