James Harden successfully pressured the Houston Rockets to trade him less than two years ago, but the 10-time All-Star could be interested in a reunion.
Harden and those close to him have publicly considered returning to Houston after the season, Reporting by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Harden signed a two-year, $68.6 million contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers in July. The deal includes a player option that allows him to become a free agent next summer. Whether Harden stays in Philadelphia will likely depend on how close the Sixers are to being title contenders in the final stages and in the knockout stages.
Although Harden was forced to leave Houston, Wojnarowski was told by sources that the 33-year-old still has his family there and is “attracted by the community”. The Rockets are on a 9-23 record this season and are one of the worst teams in the NBA, but there’s a scenario where Harden could choose familiarity over immediately fighting for the NBA championship.
The Rockets are trying to develop their young core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Kevin Porter Jr. They will have plenty of headroom on the pay cap this season, but Houston officials will need to assess whether they feel bringing Harden back will help them accomplish their goals. goal.
Like with the Rockets, Harden had a problem with the Brooklyn Nets last year before he was traded to Philly. Wojnarowski describes his relationship with Joel Embiid and 76ers head coach Doc Rivers as “something almost like a work in progress.”
Harden is averaging 21.4 points, 10.9 assists and 6.6 rebounds this season. The Sixers won seven straight games before the Christmas Day game against the New York Knicks.
