[Woj] ESPN Sources: The 76ers have ended trade talks on guard James Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for start of the season.

Bring out the fat suit!

Back then, he actually had leverage. No one wants him that bad now. Plus he is trying to force a specific destination, lowering the return they'll get. I'd just sit on him as a fuck you at this point if he pulls that shit.
- And if he decides to sit out, is Morey bold enough not to pay him?
  
  Or does Harden neglect his training & diet, and just half-ass it for the next season?

It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for 'em.

- Pepper Brooks (in regards to Sixers plans regarding James Harden, obviously)

The biggest achievement that the Sixers made this offseason is improving the coaching staff (at least the head coach). The Sixers lost some of their depth and did little to backfill what was lost. They somehow got older as well, which is impressive given that they were already one of the older teams in the league last year.

It doesn’t look like they’ll be able to easily get younger since they only have 4 draft picks (just 2 1st rounders) in the next 4 years and they lost most of the players they could send in a package. Without the big, long term contract that Harden wants, there is likely little reason for him to stay in Philly. However, if both Embiid and Harden show up for a full game at least 4 times each playoff series, the Sixers still have a chance at finally getting past the second round and possibly even winning the Finals.

The window for the Sixers with Embiid/Harden is just 1-2 season though. If they don’t make it past the 2nd round again with Embiid/Harden, then Hinkie, Harden, and even Embiid likely won’t be with the Sixers to see the 2nd season of that window.

Without the big, long term contract that Harden wants, there is likely little reason for him to stay in Philly.

Who's actually going to pay him that, though? This guy's been making trade demands like HOU Harden, but that guy doesn't exist, anymore.
- He really doesn't need to be prime Houston Harden in Philly - at least not regularly. If he can stay healthy, play make at an elite level, play solid defense, score efficiently, and (occasionally) put up Houston Harden numbers when Embiid is out, then he would be well worth the contract for Philly. The problem is that those things aren't really a guarantee - especially his availability and defense.
  
  With that said, he's still a big name that brings a lot of money to a franchise and is a high level player. He can probably get the contract he wants, but it likely will not be with a contending team. Harden will have to choose between ring chasing or cashing out. It seems like he's trying to do both and he won't be able to because he isn't Houston Harden anymore.
Hoping for Embiid and Harden to show up is just not a great strategy. We've now had years of data to show how they specifically DON'T show up when it matters the most. The numbers are all there and they don't pass the eye test either.

I’ll be surprised if he shows up to camp.

Id be surprised if he played for anything more than the vet min after this year. No way anyone pays him the max when he's asked out of every team.
Probably will show up out of shape and not with much energy.

I’m sad seeing the downfall of Harden. I hope he pulls his shit together and give us a glimpse of what he once was even inconsistently.

Can he play? James. Is he healthy?