Sixers 3 goals: James Harden needs to show up, be professional

In this continuing series, Sixers Wire looks at the 18 players, per Sportrac, that comprise the Philadelphia 76ers roster — 15 under contract and the three players on two-way deals — and gives each three goals for the 2023-24 season.

The new season begins on Oct. 26, and training camp begins on Oct. 3. Now is the time to begin previewing the new season of adventure that is Sixers basketball.

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Up next in this series is James Harden. The future Hall of Famer requested a trade back in June in order to force his way to the Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 21 points and a league-leading 10.7 assists in the 2022-23 season.

For Harden, his three goals are:

Harden has shown in the past he will do whatever it takes to get traded. He forced his way out from the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets in the past and is looking to do the same with the Sixers. It would be in his best interest to show up to training camp on Oct. 3 and be with the team as it  navigates his trade request.

This is coupled with his first goal, but if Harden does show up to camp and other team activities, he has to act in a professional matter. He has to be involved with the team, be engaged and set an example. If he is at camp and causing problems to continue to make his point, it will be pointless to have him there.

Now, on to basketball. When the 2024 playoffs roll around, Harden will have to overcome some past playoff failures regardless of whether he’s with the Sixers or elsewhere. As amazing as Harden has been in his career, he has had rather head-scratching performances in big postseason moments. He had only nine points, seven assists and five turnovers in the Game 7 elimination loss to the Boston Celtics. He scored only 11 points and took only two shots after halftime in a Game 6 elimination loss to the Miami Heat in the 2022 semifinals.