Tracy McGrady Sounds Off on James Harden’s Trade Request

NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady doesn't understand James Harden's trade request from 76ers.

As we reach August, the NBA still has two disgruntled stars sitting on the trade block, remaining with their original teams heading into the 2023-2024 NBA season. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard demanded a trade on the second day of free agency. Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden picked up his player option and demanded a trade on the eve of free agency.

Nearly a month after both of the trade requests, Lillard and Harden remain in the same position as they’ve followed a similar path that has made it difficult to move them. Lillard only wants to play for the Miami Heat, and other interested suitors understand that. As for Harden, he wants to play for the Los Angeles Clippers and reportedly intends to get his way one way or another.

When it comes to Lillard’s situation, many understand why he wants out at this point in his career. Since he’s played for Portland, the Blazers have zero NBA Finals appearances. While Lillard stuck around through times when they were hardly competitive, the star guard doesn’t have the patience to sit through another rebuild or retool. Therefore, he understandably wants a change of scenery.

Harden’s situation has become a bit more of a head-scratcher, and even NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady is questioning the ten-time All-Star’s desire to leave the Sixers. In a recent discussion with GQ, McGrady addressed Harden’s recent trade request.

“I don't understand for the life of me what James Harden is doing,” the seven-time All-Star told Howard Beck. “Why are you trying to get out?”

“That makes zero sense to me [leaving Joel Embiid],” McGrady continued. “Not only that, but I look at all the teammates he's played with. James has probably played with more Hall of Famers than anybody in the league, and he doesn't have a ring to show for it. I don't know what he's looking for. And maybe there's some internal bullshit that is going on that we don't know about. Because it doesn't make any sense to me to leave the MVP, and the Eastern Conference, where you have a shot to at least play for a championship. It's got to be something deeper than what you know. Get over it, man.”

Last season, the Sixers finished the year as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Trailing only the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, the Sixers faced the sixth-seeded Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Harden helped lead the Sixers past Brooklyn in a sweeping fashion, closing out the series in four games.

When the Sixers battled the Boston Celtics in round two, Harden led the pack in the absence of Joel Embiid in Game 1 and helped Philly steal a game on the road as he put up 45 points. While the Celtics won the next two games, Harden and Embiid found success in Game 4, tying the series before it went back on the road for Game 5. 

The Sixers were underdogs in Boston when they returned, but the team put on its most dominant all-around performance of the series, which resulted in a 3-2 Philly lead, heading back to Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, Embiid and Harden struggled to get by Boston over the next two games. Once again, the Sixers dropped out in the second round.

Harden’s offseason has not gone as initially planned. Although it seemed he would draw notable multi-year contracts from the Houston Rockets and the Sixers, Harden was left to pick up his player option for next year instead. Reportedly frustrated with the way the Sixers’ front office handled his impending free agency, Harden demanded a move.

Harden hasn’t publicly clarified his frustration with the Sixers, but the unknown leaves a lot to be curious about, even for a former player of the game.