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Lamenting James Harden Exit Plans Despite His $3.1 Million Deal, 35yr Old Vet Proudly Brings the “Dog Mentality” to 76ers

Published 07/14/2023, 5:25 PM EDT

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The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves at a crossroads as they navigate the uncertainty surrounding James Harden’s future with the team. New guard Patrick Beverley and reigning MVP, Joel Embiid express their hopes for Harden’s return. They emphasize his value both on and off the court. Harden has reportedly been working on a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers after opting into his $35.6 million player option.

As the Sixers aim to break through their playoff limitations, the question remains – Will Harden reignite their championship aspirations?

76ers Players Express Their Feelings About The Harden Situation

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The new free agent, Patrick Beverley, has been associated with many teams, including LA Clippers, Rockets, Bulls, and Lakers.  He has averaged 8.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 593 career games with them all.

Beverley was asked about building team camaraderie during his introductory press conference. All this comes amidst the uncertainty of Harden’s future with the team. He responds,  You add the dog mentality of me and P. J. Tucker around young guys to kind of mold them on how to be pros in this league. I think a lot of teams in the NBA wish they had what the Sixers have.”

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USA Today via Reuters

Beverley further added by saying, “Players are here to play. That decision is definitely above my pay grade. You can’t redo a James Harden so h*ll yeah, you want him here. H*ll yeah, you want him in the locker room. H*ll yeah, you want him on the first day of practice.”

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He even made it very clear as to why he joined the 76ers, “One of my decisions coming here was because James Harden was here. So I hope he stays. Hope that everybody can work something out or put that behind us and move forward. I think it’s important.”

What Does James Harden’s Future Hold?

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Harden’s impact on Philly’s offense has been undeniable. He has led the league with an impressive 10.7 assists per game and contributed 21 points per contest. Yet, the team fell short once again in the postseason, partly due to Harden’s perceived limitations and inconsistent scoring output.

His defensive struggles have also been a point of concern. These factors likely influenced the team’s decision not to offer him a max deal this summer. However, losing Harden without acquiring another star in return poses its own set of challenges for the Sixers. The team needs his scoring and playmaking to reach their championship goals.

The fate of Harden’s future with the 76ers remains uncertain. Will Philly be able to strike a balance between his undeniable talents and perceived limitations? Can they find a way to maximize his contributions while addressing his weaknesses?

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Watch this Story: Days After Rejecting $47,400,000 Player Option, James Harden Set to Reunite With Former Thunder Teammate as Per Sources

What are your predictions about his future? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Dhruv Shastry

720Articles

One take at a time

Dhruv is an NBA writer at ES with years of playing experience to name. Despite the ankle injury barring him from playing further, he never lost touch with the sport. He loves the swag and the attitude basketball players possess.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja