In a surprising turn of events, the Philadelphia 76ers are facing a dilemma with guard James Harden, who was not allowed on the team's plane to Milwaukee for their season opener. Now, Marcus Hayes writes that the Sixers should keep Harden away from the team altogether.

Harden's absence in the season opener was a result of his decision to leave the team during training camp. It appears that Harden's discontent stems from Sixers president Daryl Morey's failure to trade him, as he had promised. However, the Sixers were not willing to trade him for anything less than his true value.

Recognizing the need to take a stand, the Sixers have decided to keep Harden on the payroll since he is still under contract and has reported to the team. However, they are not obligated to play him any further. This self-inflicted situation created by Harden himself is only expected to worsen if he remains part of the team.

Harden's actions this offseason, including calling Morey "a liar" and vowing to never play for him again, have only further damaged his relationship with the organization and his teammates. He held out of training camp but eventually reported. However, he then left the team for 10 days, raising questions about his commitment and fitness level.

The Sixers, after assessing his fitness, deemed him unfit to play and refused to allow him on the team plane to Milwaukee. This decision highlights the extent of their dissatisfaction with Harden's behavior and lack of dedication. It is becoming clear that the Sixers should move on from him as he is not worth their time and effort.

Harden's conduct is seen as an embarrassment to the blue-collar city of Philadelphia, where hard work and dedication are celebrated. His lack of commitment and subpar physical condition have only added to the negative perception surrounding him. The Sixers and their fans deserve better.

Despite reports of Harden spending a month in a mountainside luxury "boot camp" during the summer, his lack of physical preparedness has raised concerns. The Sixers, known for their sports-science equipment, needed to monitor his conditioning closely. Yet, it is evident that even they have doubts about his fitness level.

Harden's decision to opt into his contract instead of exploring other options last season has also tied up valuable resources for the team. The Sixers could have used that money to invest in other players, but now it seems wasted on someone who has caused more harm than good.

Moving forward, it is crucial for the Sixers to distance themselves from Harden. Speculation regarding his future behavior, including poor effort, fake injuries, and personal reasons for missing games, only solidifies the notion that he would be a distraction to the team's cohesion.

The Sixers have shown promise without Harden in their season opener, losing by just one point to the Bucks. The team's other players, such as Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris, have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to the game.

It is unclear whether the Sixers will ultimately decide to part ways with Harden or find a suitable resolution. Only time will tell if the Sixers can truly thrive without the presence of the disgruntled guard. However, it is clear that the Sixers should seriously consider cutting ties with Harden to maintain a focused and unified team.

In the end, Harden's turbulent tenure with the Sixers could yield a valuable lesson for both the organization and the player.