NBA Insider Gives Positive James Harden, 76ers Update

NBA Insider Marc Stein offers the latest on the James Harden, 76ers situation.

Will he leave for the Houston Rockets after spending a season and a half with the Philadelphia 76ers? Or will he return to run it back with the reigning MVP? Those are the questions James Harden currently faces as free agency inches closer.

A betting man probably would’ve put his life savings on Harden going back to Houston at the end of the 2022-2023 season. 

Not only were the Harden-to-Houston rumors loud as ever, but the star guard wasn’t jumping at the opportunity to guarantee his return for next season as he did last year. Harden also didn’t seem thrilled with Philadelphia’s head coach, Doc Rivers.

Two days later, the Sixers parted ways with Rivers. A couple of weeks into the Sixers’ offseason, the narrative slowly started to change. Suddenly, Harden was described as “torn” as he weighs out his ultimate decision, which could come anytime after June. 

After meeting with new Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently, Harden still remains undecided on his next move. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, staying put in Philadelphia is far from out of the question these days.

The Latest From Stein

“Some fresh hope, perhaps, if you’re rooting for James Harden to stay with the 76ers: There have been some rumbles this week that, despite the undeniably strong lure that a return to Houston holds for Harden, he is said to be giving renewed consideration to staying put. There is a loyalty factor for Harden to weigh after Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey spent the bulk of his first 15 months in the City of Brotherly Love trying to acquire him, finally succeeding in February 2022.”

The Sixers have made it clear that getting James Harden back to Philadelphia is a top priority for them. Although the 76ers look much better on paper compared to their contender for Harden’s services, Houston still has a lot of advantages in this situation, considering Harden spent the majority of his career there.

There is a chance Harden could return for one season by simply picking up his player option, which is worth $35.6 million for the 2023-2024 season. Considering that number is a discount in the eyes of Harden, he’s expected to decline and search for a different deal in free agency.

Neither the Sixers nor the Rockets are expected to toss a max contract at Harden this offseason. But it seems there won’t be any discounts offered as well. The future of Harden still remains unclear at this time, but Philadelphia’s Plan A is at least on track. As the days pass by, Harden’s chances of returning to Philadelphia seem to be growing.