Tracy McGrady Hypothesizes About ‘Deeper’ Reason Behind James Harden’s Trade Request

The NBA Hall of Famer argues that there has to be more to the story behind the 10-time All-Star wanting out of Philadelphia.

James Harden has no desire to play for the 76ers next season, despite the franchise having a new coach, reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid and a supporting cast that puts Philadelphia in the conversation to compete for an NBA title out of the Eastern Conference.

His pursuit to leave Philadelphia has left many NBA fans—along with NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady—scratching their heads about his latest desire as an NBA player. In a Wednesday segment on Fox’s The Herd, McGrady told Colin Cowherd that there has to be a bigger rationale than player infrastructure as the reason for the 10-time All-Star wanting to move on from the 76ers’ organization.

“It’s got to be something deeper than any of us know about because to me it's the perfect fit,” McGrady said on the show. “There’s an MVP that you are playing with. They have a young talent in Tyrese Maxey who is going to be extremely good this year. I just think that the talent that you have around you is best for you is structured to win a championship or at least compete for one.”

"It's got to be something deeper than any of us know about because to me it's the perfect fit."

— @Tmac_213 on James Harden wanting out of Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/JFeadb6DGD

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 26, 2023

The Celtics defeated the 76ers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals last season. Despite the postseason departure, McGrady stated if Philadelphia had defeated Boston, he liked the 76ers’ chances against the Heat in the conference finals.

“I think Joel Embiid, being that he was the MVP last year, I don’t think Miami had any answer for him,” McGrady said. “… I don’t know why you would leave that [Philadelphia] situation.”

Harden, who turns 34 on Aug. 26, earned the league’s MVP honors in ’18 and claimed the NBA’s scoring title on three separate occasions. The only accolade missing from his stellar NBA career is an NBA title, which McGrady firmly believes could happen in Philadelphia.