James Harden can become an unrestricted free agent this NBA offseason if he declines his 2023-24 player option with the Philadelphia 76ers worth $35.7 million. Multiple reports have linked the former MVP going back to the Houston Rockets, but a new report has connected Harden to a team in the pacific division in the Western Conference.
According to Brian Geltzeiler of Sirius XM Radio, Harden could be interested in joining the Phoenix Suns.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Phoenix Suns, & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
However, Philadelphia lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games and Harden didn’t play well in the final two games of the series. The lefty scored 13 points in Game 6 and only nine points in Game 7. Harden, one of the greatest players in NBA history, shot 25.9% overall and 0.91% from 3-point land in Games 6 through 7.
The Suns also lost in the second round of the playoffs and Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported on May 12 that Phoenix is expected to explore a Chris Paul trade this summer. Could the Suns and Sixers execute a Paul-for-Harden trade? Only time will tell, but it’s worth mentioning that Phoenix has the second-best odds (+275) to land Harden this offseason if the Arizona State product doesn’t stay with Philadelphia.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Phoenix Suns, & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden played with Suns superstar small forward Kevin Durant on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets. Phoenix All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker also has a rapport with Harden, who has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Thunder, Rockets, Nets and Sixers.
