According to reports, the Rockets are ‘widely expected’ to pursue James Harden in free agency, and also “hints of mutual interest abound” via Liberty Ballers;
When the 76ers traded Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and a pair of future first-round picks for James Harden (and Paul Millsap), many assumed they would work out a long-term deal that summer.
But if that was discussed at the time, Harden’s lackluster performance in the second round caused mostly by his hamstring issue, may have dampened the mood and the market around the three-time scoring champion.
We don’t know what type of deal the Sixers wanted to get him to sign last summer. My guess is they offered something in the realm of a max two-year deal with a player option for year three. But Harden instead opted for a two-year deal, with his option coming just 12 months later in 2023. That means, in all likelihood, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent for the second time in his career in a few months.
And the Houston Rockets, his former team, the team with the worst record in the NBA, sound like they really want a reunion.
Per a new report in The Athletic by Sam Amick and Kelly Iko, there’s more than a bit of smoke to this potential fire:
“Harden, sources with knowledge of the situation say, made it abundantly clear [back in 2020] the feeling [of wanting him to return expressed by Rockets’ owner Tilman Fertitta] was mutual. There were no promises made that day — on either side — but everyone who was part of those final Harden days in Houston knew there were strong indications he’d be back, specifically, in the summer of 2023.
If the Sixers win a title I could totally see Harden going back to his adopted home. If they don’t win a title I think it becomes a little more tricky because the Rockets are nowhere near title contention.
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