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76ers Rumors: Mike D'Antoni Interest Involves James Harden?

According to a recent rumor, the Philadelphia 76ers are not only interested in Mike D'Anotni, but also Rockets superstar, James Harden.

Justin Grasso

The Philadelphia 76ers are interested former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni. Lately, his name has popped up next to the Sixers more than any other candidate on the market, including the seemingly former favorite, Ty Lue.

D'Antoni brings an innovative and creative system and could give Philly an entirely new look, which could help them out tremendously on the court after struggling this past season. According to a recent rumor, though, Philly's interest in D'Antoni could have an additional non-coaching factor attached.

Per John Clarks of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the interest in D'Antoni's services as a head coach may stem from the organization's interest in Rockets superstar James Harden as well. As Harden is set to become a free agent in two seasons or could be traded as early as this offseason, Clark reports there is "feeling with some in the organization that [D'Antoni] could help lure James Harden to Philly."

Harden, who turned 31 in August, is one of the most prominent names in the NBA right now. The six-foot-five shooting guard out of Arizona State began his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder back in 2009. Although he showed promise early on in his career, it wasn't until he moved over to Houston when Harden really starting emerging as a star in the NBA.

In eight seasons with the Rockets, Harden has averaged just under 30 points-per-game while shooting 36-percent from deep. Over the last three seasons, he's put up over 30 points-per-game and was named the NBA MVP in 2018. It's no secret the Sixers could use somebody as reliable as Harden on the offensive end of the court -- and he would surely give Philly a boost if they could somehow acquire him in the future.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA

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