PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden vowed he would never play for a franchise run by 76ers team president Daryl Morey. Coach Nick Nurse, in his first season after five years with Toronto, is preparing for games without Harden. Harden even declined in June 2022 his $47.4 million option, saying he wanted to give the 76ers flexibility to improve their roster and compete for a championship. He signed a deal worth slightly over $68 million, paying him about $33 million last season with a $35 million player option for this season. The player known as The Beard instead picked up his $35.6 million option with the 76ers for this season, with the desire to force a trade.

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