Report: James Harden Interested in Joining Suns

The Phoenix Suns could use a new beard in town.

The Phoenix Suns are officially in their offseason, which means - of course - it's time for every rumor known to man to emerge. 

The Suns are currently set to undergo some massive changes after being humiliated by the Denver Nuggets in their season-sealing Game 6 loss last week. The first of those dominoes has already fell in the form of head coach Monty Williams being relieved of his duties. 

While Phoenix searches for a new leader, they will also look for ways to retool their roster. Strapped tightly in cash for the upcoming offseason, there's expectations that the team could move on from players such as Chris Paul or Deandre Ayton - if not both. 

There seems to be a missing piece in Phoenix, and one superstar could join the likes of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. 

Sirius XM/NBA TV's Brian Geltzeiler is reporting that James Harden as the Suns on his radar.

With free agency pending for James Harden, I’m hearing there is another team prominently on is radar in addition to Houston. That team is the Phoenix Suns.

— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) May 15, 2023

Harden has a $35.6 million player option with the Philadelphia 76ers for next season, and there's plenty of smoke that Harden will bypass that and enter free agency. 

Harden - set to be 34-years-old next season - could be the third and final missing piece to Phoenix's dynamic in the staring lineup, as he presents himself as a viable scoring option alongside Durant and Booker, something the Suns lacked this postseason. 

Harden has previous experience playing with Durant in Oklahoma City. If the Suns can't snag Harden, they are also reportedly interested in the talents of Kyrie Irving, who just played with Durant in Brooklyn. 

Harden won the league's MVP award in 2018, is a ten-time NBA All-Star and has led the league in scoring three times.