Daryl Morey and James Harden continue to have a complicated relationship.
This week, after the NBA trade deadline, Morey, president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, talked to reporters about the trades made by other teams in the Eastern Conference.
“People have been curious about how our competitors in the East have improved,” Morey said. “From my perspective, I don’t see significant changes. Many teams made moves, but I don’t think any were game-changers.”
The most significant trade in the Eastern Conference was the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring Harden from the L.A. Clippers.
Last season, the Cavaliers won 64 games and are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 31-21. This trade positions them well for the playoffs.
Morey may be hesitant to label Harden as a “game-changer” due to their prior experiences. The two worked well together during their time with the Houston Rockets from 2012 to 2020, but their relationship deteriorated when they reunited on the 76ers in 2022-23.
Harden expected a maximum contract extension from Morey and the 76ers in 2023. When that didn’t happen, he requested a trade and publicly criticized Morey, calling him a “liar.”
Eventually, Philadelphia traded Harden to the Clippers in October. Now with Harden back in the East with the Cavaliers, Morey seems to be taking the opportunity to make his thoughts known.