When the Houston Rockets traded James Harden in January 2021, he was given the opportunity by Tilman Fertitta to choose between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic. Harden chose the Nets, but of course now changed his mind and requested a deal 13 months later to join the 76ers.
There had been speculation that the Rockets refused to trade Harden to the 76ers due to the presence of Daryl Morey. Morey stepped down from his position running the Rockets late in 2020 citing family reasons only to be hired by the 76ers a few weeks later.
The relationship between Harden and
The tenures of Morey and Harden with the Rockets predated the ownership of Fertitta.