Over FaceTime calls as the trade deadline neared, James Harden told Sean Marks and Joe Tsai that he wanted a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN.
Earlier in the season when Harden decided not to sign an extension with the Nets, he told Marks and Tsai that he wanted to stay long-term, but he simultaneously began canvassing player agents for advice on an eventual exit strategy to Philadelphia.
“Don’t believe any of the rumors,” Harden would tell them. “If there’s a problem, you’ll hear from me directly.”
Harden had hoped to avoid the public backlash of requesting a trade in two straight seasons, but a passive aggressive stance hadn’t worked on selling the Nets that they had to trade him.
Marks and Tsai told him that they would only make a deal that was good for the Nets. Harden told them he understood and they agreed he wouldn’t play until after the deadline. Harden informed them that he was returning to Houston on Wednesday to wait out the deadline, sources said.
A trade was consummated shortly before the deadline between the Nets and 76ers.