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Knicks fans will laugh at latest 76ers-James Harden free agency rumor

By Jordanna Clark

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 10: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 10: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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James Harden amused New York Knicks fans last year when he requested a trade from the lowly Nets, although the move sent him to another division rival. He was praised for taking a “pay cut” with the Sixers over the summer so that they could make a series of other moves motivated by what they hope will be a championship run.

Philadelphia has the third-best record in the East, but it’d be hard to see the team advancing to the NBA Finals over Boston and Milwaukee even with Joel Embiid playing at an MVP level again. Based on the latest rumor, this season might end up being the Sixers’ best shot at a title run moving forward.

Harden has a $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season that he could decline to enter free agency. More specifically, he could decline it to go back to where he spent over eight seasons.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who was a guest on Brian Windhorst’s The Hoop Collective podcast, Harden returning to the Rockets during the offseason is a “very real possibility.”

James Harden leaving Sixers for Rockets would be classic for Knicks fans

There have been rumblings about James Harden possibly returning to Houston, so this is nothing new. However, it certainly isn’t good for the Sixers that Harden going back to the Rockets has been labeled as a real possibility.

This is similar to when reports were floating around that Harden wasn’t happy in Brooklyn and that he wanted to reunite with Daryl Morey in Philadelphia. Harden and Morey’s relationship began in Houston when Morey was the GM for the Rockets.

Truthfully, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Harden were to sign with Houston as a free agent over the summer based on his past moves. The Rockets will have the cap space to sign Harden during the offseason. Harden’s still a regular face in Houston, too. This could all be a ploy for Harden to get more money from the Sixers during the offseason, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Harden would help pull the Rockets out of the hole that they’re in. Houston has won a league-low 13 games this season and is the last-place team in the Western Conference, which could end up paying off big time come May during the draft lottery. The Rockets could end up with the No. 1 pick and be the winners (subscription required) of the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.

Imagine being a fan and going from watching this year’s team to watching a starting lineup that features Harden and Wembanyama in 2023-24. Better yet, imagine being a Sixers fan watching Harden leave Philadelphia without a ring when the belief was that he was going to win his first title there. Nets fans have been there and done that.

At least James Harden isn’t a headache that Knicks fans need to worry about, but hey, it is a good form of entertainment.

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