Mar 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers enters the building before the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers and guard James Harden have had a difficult offseason, and former coach Doc Rivers might be poised to offer some insight into what happened.
Rivers appeared on ESPN’s “NBA Today” Wednesday and was asked about the ongoing stalemate between Harden, who has demanded a trade, and the 76ers, who have thus far refused to accommodate his request. Rivers said he did not know that much, but that he knew there was “trouble in paradise” once Harden exercised his contract option for the 2023-24 season.
“I don’t know if I saw it coming. … Once you saw James opt-in, you knew there was trouble in paradise.”
Doc on James Harden’s trade request. pic.twitter.com/VXDf1JXIgl
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 11, 2023
“I don’t know if I saw it coming, because I did think that they would all figure it out, but obviously, once you saw James opt in, you knew there was trouble in paradise,” Rivers said. “I believe he believed that he was going to get taken care of at some point. He didn’t, and he’s upset by it. The Sixers, on the other hand, are thinking more team-wise and future-wise in what they want to do. It’s a tough situation. I would be surprised if it’s resolved unless there is a trade.”
Rivers, who was fired as 76ers coach at the end of the team’s playoff run, added that his relationship with Harden “wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good, it was pretty much neutral.” Reports at the time suggested Harden did not want to play for Rivers anymore.
Rivers does not sound terribly shocked by what has taken place. Harden wanted a new long-term contract, and the 76ers did not give it to him. That is what apparently led Harden to publicly label team president Daryl Morey a liar.
Now an analyst for ESPN, Rivers probably is not upset that he does not have to deal with all of this.
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