Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving Reacts to James Harden’s Recent Comments

Kyrie Irving backs his former teammate, James Harden.

On Monday, a viral video surfaced of Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden publicly commenting on his current situation with the Sixers. More than a month after requesting a trade from the Sixers, Harden decided to apply pressure.

"Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” said Harden. “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

Harden’s comments are just another episode in the saga that has played out since the Sixers dropped out in the second round after a disappointing Game 7 performance against the Boston Celtics. And the trade-hopeful Sixer received support from his former teammate Kyrie Irving on Monday.

Is he Disgruntled Adrian?? Or is he holding Darryl Morey accountable for his dishonesty and lack of transparency throughout the contract negotiation process this summer?

— Chief Hélà 🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) August 14, 2023

“Is he disgruntled,” Irving tweeted at ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski a few hours after the video surfaced. “Or is [Harden] holding [Daryl Morey] accountable for his dishonesty and lack of transparency throughout the contract negotiation process this summer?”

Throughout the 2023 offseason, the Sixers have reportedly held trade discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that became Harden’s desired landing spot. When Sixers’ President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey publicly commented on the situation last month, he made it clear that his asking price has not been met and that Harden would not be traded for the sake of removing him from the roster.

Although Harden didn’t comment on his trade saga directly, his comments about the Portland Trail Blazers’ situation with Damian Lillard hinted that he doesn’t expect the Blazers, Sixers, or any other NBA team to take less than what a player’s valued at, even when they are low on leverage.

But Harden’s latest move applies pressure to Philadelphia as it comes right after the team reportedly made it known that they are moving forward with hopes of Harden returning to the team when they meet for training camp in October. 

The expectation is that Harden will hold out. In the meantime, he’s open to expressing his distrust in Morey and makes his unwillingness to work with him further clear, while Irving supports his former teammate’s stance.