The James Harden saga continued Monday. 

The 34-year-old 10-time All-Star guard did not attend the Philadelphia Sixers’ media day. He requested a trade this summer after Harden exercised his $35.6 million player option.

Harden was listed on the Sixers’ training camp roster, but he clearly still wants to be traded to another team before the season. He reportedly wants to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

“He’s not here (Monday),” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said. “He continues to seek a trade and we’re working with his representation to resolve that in the best way for the Sixers and, hopefully, (for) all parties.”

The Harden situation has been one of the main storylines in the NBA this offseason. The Sixers should just trade him because Harden will not play this season. 

Morey said if he traded Harden, he wants a player who “can help us in significant way. Or draft pick type things that we can then go turn into something that will help us in the short run.”

“I think in terms of a trade, I will continue to work on those fronts and if he’s here, then coach (Nick Nurse) will work with him on the court. I think it’s pretty straightforward,” Morey added.

Harden was fined $100,000 for his public trade demands in August. Harden also called Morey a “liar.” He has not spoken publicly since then. 

“I don’t think I have to interpret it. I mean, I think he said what he meant. I think that was well reported on,” Morey said. “And, obviously attacks. I haven’t responded to that because I think it falls flat on its face. Twenty years of work in the league, I always follow through on everything. Every top agent knows that. Everyone in the league knows that you can’t operate in this job without that. So privately, I appreciated like all the key people in the league reaching out to me and knowing obviously, that that’s that’s not true. So like I said before, obviously, it was disappointing that he chose to handle it that way.”

The Sixers are familiar with this situation. A few years ago, Ben Simmons did not attend media day and they eventually traded him for Harden.

Not having Harden this season would be a big loss, despite what some say. He led the NBA in assists last season. He’s a future Hall of Famer and a good player. if Harden is gone and the Sixers do not get anyone that can help win a championship, either Tryese Maxey has to step up alongside Joel Embiid or it could be a tough year for the Sixers.