Windhorst Believes 76ers ‘Willing’ to Offer Close to Max Contract for James Harden

The NBA analyst believes Philadelphia is prioritizing the guard this offseason.

After the Sixers’ disappointing playoff exit, James Harden’s future with the team has been up in the air. Philadelphia is still trying to make it to the Eastern Conference finals in the Joel Embiid era, and it has to decide whether it believes Harden is a solution to that problem.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Sixers are motivated to bring Harden back, and they may be willing to go as far as necessary in negotiations to do so.

“The Sixers have focused largely their entire offseason on getting this deal done,” Windhorst said, “I think they’re willing to give him the pay increase up to at the max contract or near the max.”

However, it may come down to how long the contract is, as Harden will be 34 when the season starts next year. Additionally, if Philadelphia draws the line somewhere, Harden’s former team may swoop in.

“The question is years, and I don’t know if James Harden can walk away from a championship-level team if the Sixers are willing to give him a long-term contract,” Windhorst said. “If they’re not, then I think you could see Houston come into play, but I think the Sixers are motivated to find middle ground here and I think they are confident that they can get it done.”

There have been rumors surrounding Harden and the Rockets for a few months, as Houston seems ready to try and contend again with its young core. However, Harden would have to play a different role in Houston than he would in Philadelphia as more of a veteran presence.

The Sixers have already changed head coaches, so bringing back Harden wouldn’t mean the team runs back the same team as last year, and with the team firmly in the window of contention, Harden still fits them as a win-now option.