PHILADELPHIA, — Nick Nurse did not convey the sense that James Harden will participate in the Wells Fargo Center preseason game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Neither did the 76ers coach imply that his point guard would skip it. When asked if there was an update on Harden’s availability on Tuesday, Nurse said, “No, not yet.” “Again,” she said, “we are just trying to go day by day with this.
The Sixers have been taking a day-by-day approach with Harden’s availability since he ended his two-day holdout last Wednesday.
But Tuesday marked the third consecutive practice with him as a full participant. Nurse said Harden’s need to “ramp into” playing condition led to him missing Sunday’s 114-106 preseason loss to the Celtics at TD Garden. Joel Embiid, De’Anthony Melton, and Furkan Korkmaz (leg strain) were also sidelined. Like Harden, Embiid and Melton returned to practice Tuesday.
“We had a pretty good practice today,” Nurse said. “Always seeing who comes out of them. We’ll probably have a better update [on Harden’s availability] after shootaround [on Wednesday].” Nurse said the same goes for Embiid. Melton is expected to play in Wednesday’s game. The expectation is that Korkmaz will make his preseason debut on the road Monday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Harden has been in good spirits at practice. However, the 34-year-old missed media day and the first of training camp because he was upset the Sixers had not met his trade demand. The Sixers have had recent communications with the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden’s preferred destination, about a deal
But the Clippers’ plan to add draft-pick swaps in a package for Harden hasn’t moved the needle for the Sixers. The Sixers are interested in the type of package that could include Clippers guard Terance Mann and multiple first-round picks. But word is that the Sixers don’t expect the picks from the Clippers, who need to stay relevant in a big market, to be that valuable, especially with them being a perennial playoff team. To sweeten the deal, it’s been reported that the Clippers are in search of more attractive picks.
Meanwhile, the Sixers aim to continue to investigate all alternatives connected to Harden’s trade request as other clubs observe the situation. If the Sixers wait until at least December 15, they may have more alternatives. The Sixers might even wait until the trade deadline in February. However, Dec. 15 is significant since it is the deadline for players who signed free-agent contracts in the summer to become tradeable.
