James Harden is bringing chaos to the 76ers while the rest of the East gets better

Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win's basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here's Bryan Kalbrosky.

James Harden reportedly "remains upset" that the 76ers haven't traded him to the Clippers, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, and he is causing chaos.

Harden is not in Philadelphia as the team prepares to host its media day. It is the second time in three seasons that a star guard for the 76ers has skipped media day due to a trade demand after Ben Simmons, who was eventually traded to the Nets for Harden, did the same in 2021.

The ten-time All-Star "could be subject to a fine" for skipping the media day obligations. Harden, who called 76ers executive Daryl Morey a "liar" earlier this offseason, may eventually receive harsher punishments than just a fine.

According to this obscure clause, if he decides to hold out, Harden will still essentially owe his final year of service to Philadelphia in perpetuity even if the front office does not find a trade for him.

There is reportedly "no traction" on a trade with the 76ers and Clippers, or any other team, per Woj. That means that even though he said he would never play for Morey again, he might have to.

Meanwhile, as he skips media day obligations and causes distractions for the team, multiple other contenders in the East have recently become stronger.

The Bucks traded for Damian Lillard and immediately became the favorites to win the title. Then, the Celtics traded for Jrue Holiday and closed the gap on the Bucks.

This whole saga is likely incredibly frustrating for Joel Embiid, who went through something similar with Simmons fairly recently and presumably just wants to focus on winning his first NBA championship.

It can't be easy for Tyrese Maxey, who deserves to know if he will start or come off the bench at the beginning of next season.

There is no way this is fun for head coach Nick Nurse, who is taking over the position from Doc Rivers. He would assuredly rather talk about basketball-related storylines than the theatrics involving Harden.

Harden is within his rights to try to squeeze out every ounce of the little bit of leverage he can possibly create to force a trade. But ultimately, there just may not be a suitable deal for him that Morey and the 76ers are willing to take and he will have no choice but to wait it out -- or just play for Philadelphia.

The Tip-Off

Jimmy Butler had the most interesting look of anyone during Miami's Media Day on Monday. Here is more from my colleague, Mike Sykes:

"Jimmy Butler is truly the pulse of the Miami Heat, man. There’s no doubt about it. He carries the vibe of the team through good and bad.

So, clearly, the entire city must be blasting the best of My Chemical Romance right now. That’s clearly the vibe Jimmy is on today.

Butler showed up to Miami Heat media day with his hair freshly pressed and straightened, throwing everybody for a bit of a loop. Of course, reporters had to ask Butler about his new look.

He says he’s emo now, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, which totally makes so much sense after the Damian Lillard trade.

Can you blame him, honestly? His team fumbled a chance at an All-Star point guard that very clearly wanted to be there. AND Miami lost Jrue Holiday to Boston? While Lillard is in Milwaukee? Yeah, that’s a massive L, Heat."

I'll say it: I kind of like this look for Jimmy Butler! I hope ESPN uses these headshots throughout the season because clearly, it's important to him.

Shootaround

— The starting lineup for the Celtics after trading for Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis is amazing

— Here is everything the Trail Blazers have received in return for Damian Lillard (so far)

— HoopsHype's Yossi Gozlan looked at potential trade destinations for Malcolm Brogdon

— Matt Barnes and Kevin Garnett have a message for James Harden, per Sixers Wire's Ky Carlin