The James Harden situation in Philadelphia remains unresolved.
The 10-time All-Star could have been a free agent in the offseason, but he picked up his player option to return to the 76ers for one more season. Harden isn't determined to run it back after a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, though. He's seeking a trade to a certain team in the Western Conference.
What does that mean for Harden's status to start the season? Will he get the trade he's looking for?
Here's everything we know about Harden's availability for Philadelphia's season opener and where things currently stand between him and the front office.
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Is James Harden playing vs. the Bucks?
News broke on Wednesday that Harden had returned to the 76ers for practice. However, he didn't travel with the team to Milwaukee and won't play in their season opener against the Bucks on Thursday. He will remain in Philadelphia to "continue his ramp up."
Harden did not appear in any of Philadelphia's preseason games. He returned to the team on Wednesday following a 10-day absence. Philadelphia said Harden wasn't with the team during that period due to a personal matter.
"He's only done one five-on-five this entire last month of training camp, had not played in preseason," The Athletic's Shams Charania reported. "I don't expect to see James Harden on the floor anytime soon, but he has returned to the team."
Following their matchup with the Bucks, the 76ers will travel to Toronto to face the Raptors. They will then return to Philadelphia for a five-game homestand. The plan is for Harden to get the "live action necessary to get him playing games" once the 76ers return from their two-game road trip, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Here are Philadelphia's first five games of the 2023-24 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Oct. 26 | at Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Oct. 28 | at Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Oct. 29 | vs Trail Blazers | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 2 | vs Raptors | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 4 | vs Suns | 1 p.m. | — |
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What is going on with James Harden and the 76ers?
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news in late June that Harden and the 76ers were beginning to explore trade scenarios together. The expectation at the time was that Harden had played his last game for the franchise.
Less than two months later, Wojnarowski reported that the 76ers had ended trade talks on Harden and planned to bring him back to training camp. The 76ers were said to have had "periodic offseason conversations" with the Clippers, Harden's desired location, but "no traction on a deal materialized."
Harden arrived late to training camp. He practiced with the 76ers upon returning but then left for what the team called a personal matter.
Harden has been critical of 76ers president Daryl Morey. In mid-August, Harden called Morey a "liar" and said he would "never be a part of an organization that he's a part of." Harden was later fined $100,000 by the NBA for making public trade demands.
When Harden spoke to the media ahead of the 2023-24 season, he maintained that his relationship with Morey is beyond repair.
According to Wojnarowski, Harden has been frustrated for months that he hasn't been traded to the Clippers.
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James Harden contract details
Harden is on the books for $35.6 million in the 2023-24 season. It's the final year of his current contract, setting him up to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
| Season | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $35,640,000 |
