James Harden didn’t officially request a trade from the Nets until the trade deadline approached, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
Harden reportedly FaceTimed Nets owner Joe Tsai and GM Sean Marks to express his desire to play for the Sixers instead of the Nets.
The nine-time All-Star was hesitant to request a trade for the second time in over a year due to public perception. Last January, Brooklyn acquired Harden from Houston in a blockbuster trade that included Jarrett Allen, Caris Lavert, four first-round picks and four pick-swaps.
According to ESPN, the Nets could sense Harden’s growing disinterest in continuing with the team in training camp.