All-Star guard James Harden isn’t joining the Houston Rockets for their preseason opener Friday at Chicago, but he could be joining a new team soon.
At least, he will if Harden gets his trade wish.
Per Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Philadelphia 76ers are considered the “most likely” next destination for Harden if the Rockets decided to make a deal.
Stein added that the Rockets aren’t willing to trade Harden at the moment. Nor are the 76ers willing to trade guard/forward Ben Simmons — again, at the moment. Simmons is likely what it would take for the 76ers to land Harden.
There is an obvious tie-in between the franchises, as new 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey just left the Rockets after 13 years as general manager.
Harden has also been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets. He reportedly has made it clear he wants to be traded to a contender.
That said, he does not have a “no-trade clause” in his contract, so the Rockets could send him anywhere. For now, it appears the 76ers may make the most sense if a deal is to ever come about.
