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What the Indiana Pacers can learn from James Harden and Daryl Morey drama

By Joe Lyon

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Andrew Nembhard #2 (C) and Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on October 24, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Andrew Nembhard #2 (C) and Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on October 24, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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The Indiana Pacers haven’t been embroiled in controversy in awhile, probably not since the Oladipo days where he was asking other teams if he could play with them. Or previously when Paul George was off in Oklahoma City talking about the ways that Indiana did him wrong. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have something to learn from some of the current issues going on in the league.

The biggest of which is the drama ensuing between James Harden and Daryl Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden has gone on record know multiple times to talk about how he will never be involved in any organization that Morey is a part of.

James Harden claims that Morey promised to trade him shortly after the opt in but then decided to keep Harden given the state of the trade market. Harden has since called Morey a liar and the two seem headed for a standoff. So what can the Pacers learn from such a situation?

In the age of player empowerment, small-market teams like the Pacers have to act differently.

A team like the 76ers can afford to make some ill-advised promises and errors in judgement over the course of time. They will likely be able to continue to attract high-end talent to a market that is of historical and cultural significance.

Indiana on the other can, can’t afford to make such moves. We have to be step-in-step with our top players every step of the way. Otherwise, we could lose them for nothing, a move that could set a franchise like ours back years.

Kevin Pritchard should be looking at this and seeing that being transparent with top players is the only way for the Pacers to navigate the current NBA landscape. Which is why it’s so encouraging to see Haliburton be brought in as a voice in decision-making. 

Only time will tell if the Pacers can navigate super stardom with their young point guard, but I’m hopeful they are watching and learning from the Philly failures.

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