NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium is reporting that James Harden is torn between staying with the Philadelphia 76ers or going back to the Houston Rockets.
The 2017-18 MVP is expected to decline his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers and enter free agency this summer.
Harden averaged 21.0 points and 10.7 assists this season for Philadelphia. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
However, the Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Harden is expected to sign with the Rockets this offseason. Even though The Beard requested a trade from Houston in 2020-21 and was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, he still has a good relationship with Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta.
“The belief among NBA executives is that James Harden will rejoin the Houston Rockets this summer,” Pompey wrote. “Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta ‘loves’ the 76ers point guard. The franchise expects to reunite with him, sources say. Before the Rockets hired Ime Udoka on April 25, head coaching candidates were asked for their opinion on coaching Harden during the interview process, according to sources.
“Sources have said his interest in returning to Houston is mutual and not a ploy to get a lucrative deal out of the Sixers. His mother still lives in the city. He has several business ventures there. And, as one source said, ‘he’s treated like a god in Houston.’”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
Harden is one of the best players in Rockets franchise history. He’s first all-time in 3-point field goals, free throws, assists, triple-doubles, points per game, player efficiency rating, offensive win shares and box plus-minus.
If Harden leaves Philly for Houston, the Sixers will need to find another star for Joel Embiid to play with.
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