Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks News: James Harden still anti-Daryl Morey, Raptors’ Damian Lillard offer

By Jordanna Clark

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 07: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 07: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

While the New York Knicks had a quiet offseason, a couple of their division rivals have stood out for the wrong reasons. James Harden is still a Sixer, and the Raptors are seemingly content with remaining a play-in team at best.

Harden requested a trade after he exercised his player option for 2023-24, and he was under the impression a deal would happen quickly. Well, training camp opens next week, and he’s still on Philadelphia’s roster. Publicly calling Daryl Morey a liar at an Adidas event over the offseason wasn’t enough to push his way out.

The 34-year-old guard has been adamant about not playing another game for the Sixers, and soon enough, it’ll be known how serious he is about that. Based on the club party he threw in Houston recently, Harden seems to be headed toward a holdout.

Believe it or not, somehow, the Sixers’ drama is just beginning. Harden is enjoying calling Morey out, while Joel Embiid wants to win a championship. That’s the exact situation Philadelphia should want to be in!

As for Toronto, Masai Ujiri was at the forefront of the Damian Lillard trade talks for the past couple of weeks. The Raptors were even considered to be the frontrunners for the future Hall of Famer at one point, but based on the latest report, Ujiri wasn’t serious about making his team better.

According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Toronto didn’t want to give up its core of Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby. Instead, the Raptors were willing to give up three first-round picks, two pick swaps, and Gradey Dick. It’s no wonder the Bucks were able to swoop in to get Lillard.

Toronto’s future is as muddled as ever, which will only mean good things for New York.

More Knicks news

  • ESPN’s Bobby Marks constructed a mock trade that could get Jrue Holiday to New York, but it isn’t one the front office should do.
  • The Bucks went all-in to appease Giannis Antetokounmpo, but is there still a way the Knicks could get the two-time MVP in the future?
  • Evan Fournier, who will make $18.9 million in 2023-24, said in an interview with French radio station RTL that he feels like he’s “being held hostage.”

NBA news

  • Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported that Damian Lillard told Joe Cronin earlier this month that if a trade with Miami couldn’t be worked out, he wanted to take back his trade request and stay in Portland. Cronin turned that down.
  • According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the NBA is “nearing plans” for Golden State to host All-Star Weekend in 2025.
  • The NBA announced on Friday that guard Josh Primo would be suspended for four games.
Home/Knicks News