James Harden rumors: Sixers star likely to reunite with Rockets in free agency, per report

[ad_1]

One of the oft-reported stories around the NBA this season has been James Harden’s reported interest in returning to the Houston Rockets this summer. The Rockets are planning to pursue the former league MVP, and while that doesn’t mean he’ll automatically sign there, the connection between Harden and Houston is one that makes these rumors have some substance behind them. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reports that Houston “expects” to reunite with Harden this summer, and that the interest from both sides is “mutual” and not a tactic to get a better deal from the Sixers. Harden is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option this summer to become an unrestricted free agent and sign a deal worth more money. 

Though nothing is final until pen is signed to paper, this is the strongest indication yet that Harden is at least seriously considering a return to the team he spent nine years with. 

It’s not a surprising revelation given Harden’s public adoration for Houston, even since forcing a trade from the team in 2021. Still, though, that doesn’t mean it’s a forgone conclusion that Harden leaves Philadelphia. The Sixers firing head coach Doc Rivers was reportedly done in part because of Harden’s urging to bring in a different coach. If that’s true, then Harden could have a big hand in choosing who his next coach is in Philadelphia. However, if Harden does bolt for Houston, it will have major ramifications for the Sixers. 

Losing Harden for nothing would be a significant step back for a team that has consistently been a championship contender over the last several years. It would leave recently-named league MVP Joel Embiid without a co-star, and force the Sixers to, as team president Daryl Morey puts it, “get creative” in trying to add another All-Star caliber player before next season.

From the Rockets’ perspective, they’ll have about $60 million in cap space this summer to sign Harden, who could receive up to $201.7 million from teams around the league and a maximum of $210 million from the Sixers. While Harden’s…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/rockets-expect-to-reunite-with-james-harden-this-summer-in-free-agency-per-report/

Author : Jasmyn Wimbish

Publish date : 2023-05-19 17:27:31

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.