The Sixers are playing just about as well as anyone could reasonably expect and James Harden is a major reason. However, rumblings of this being his last season in Philadelphia continue to persist.
Several reports of Harden, who will be a free agent after the season, considering a return to the Rockets have surfaced with the latest being ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski’s, stating that Harden’s camp has been “openly weighing Houston in recent weeks and months.”
Harden continues to have a fondness for the city of Houston after spending 7.5 seasons with the Rockets, including an MVP campaign. Woj’s report doesn’t mean that Harden will necessarily leave Philadelphia, though it does sound like the 33-year-old is nowhere near a lock to return to Daryl Morey’s club once the season ends.
Reactions To Harden Rumors
We present some reactions to the news without comment.
This could be interesting for Nets. Rockets hold swap rights for Nets pick in 2025 and 2027. https://t.co/90ioYlgLtF
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) December 25, 2022
I really don't have too much of a comment about what might happen in free agency 7+ months from now, but it's pretty easy to read between the lines and say that these Houston rumors indicate Harden isn't staying for a discount.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) December 25, 2022
I'm not sure why I expected the Sixers to be normal on Christmas but that's my mistake
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) December 25, 2022
The Rockets should release a statement, “No thanks, we’re good.”
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 25, 2022