Harden misses 76ers practice again due to personal matter

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden was a no-show at Wednesday's team practice.

Harden also missed practice Thursday due to a personal matter, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The former MVP hasn't been present with the club since Sunday, Charania reports. He subsequently traveled from the 76ers' practice facility to Houston, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Harden didn't attend any of the 76ers' preseason contests and has taken part in just one team scrimmage over 14 days of training camp, according to Charania.

Harden was expected to participate in Wednesday's practice, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reports. However, the 10-time All-Star remains frustrated at the lack of progress toward a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, adds Shelburne.

While the 76ers and Clippers have recently spoken, there remains a sizable gap in trade negotiations, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The Clippers are apparently looking to add more draft capital in an attempt to bolster their offer to the 76ers. Their initial proposal in July is said to have included an unprotected first-round selection, a pick swap, and salaries to match Harden's.

Philadelphia plans on giving Harden a chance to explain his "unexcused absence" before issuing any disciplinary action, according to Shelburne.

The guard left a positive impression on head coach Nick Nurse and teammate Tobias Harris following his first practice with the club earlier this month. Harden has since said that his relationship with the 76ers' brass can't be repaired as he has "lost trust" in president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.

Harden exercised his $35.6-million player option for 2023-24 in August. He averaged 21 points and a league-leading 10.7 assists over 58 appearances last season.