James Harden free agency update is especially comical for Knicks fans

New York Knicks fans may soon owe James Harden a thank you (times two!) for going to one of their division rival teams to only leave shortly thereafter. Harden was the first domino to fall from the Nets’ Big Three and could leave Joel Embiid and the Sixers in the dust this summer.

Harden has a $35.6 million player option for 2023-24 that he could opt out of to become an unrestricted free agent. It’s actually not a matter of if he’ll opt out, but when he’ll opt out. From there, the guard is expected to return to Houston, where he was from 2012-2021 before demanding a trade to Brooklyn.

According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko (subscription required), Harden is “the top target” for the Rockets in free agency. What a surprise. Harden was drawn to Philadelphia because of Daryl Morey, who was the Rockets’ general manager for the majority of Harden’s time in Houston.

On the latest episode of The Ryen Russillo Podcast, Russillo and Shams Charania said that Harden is “torn” about whether or not to stay with the Sixers or return to the Rockets.

Will James Harden leave Knicks rival as unrestricted free agent?

Remember when it was first reported that Harden had a desire to be traded from the Nets? He denied it profusely, but in a blockbuster deal on the day of the deadline, he was sent to Philadelphia. His denial didn’t change the truth of the matter.

While Harden very well could stay with the Sixers, the report that he’s “torn” between making a decision seems to be enough of an answer about what he’ll do. It’s hard to believe that he’s actually struggling to make a decision when there have been reports about him returning to Houston floating around for months now.

Harden has learned that grass isn’t always greener on the other side. He was supposed to win a ring with the Nets and was heralded for taking a “pay cut” ahead of 2022-23 that was supposed to help the Sixers win a ring. You can see the trend.

If he does depart Philadelphia as a free agent, the Sixers will have their hands tied. The organization doesn’t have draft capital and is strapped financially. The Knicks are reportedly holding out on the hope that Joel Embiid will request a trade this summer, which isn’t a likely scenario but one that shouldn’t be counted out with Philly’s uncertain future.

At this point, no one should be too surprised when they learn that James Harden is headed back to the Western Conference this summer.

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