James Harden ‘remains in the Houston Rockets’ offseason plans’…despite the franchise fielding No. 4, Amen Thompson
- Harden, 33, is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option to become a free agent
- ‘The Beard’ is torn between staying in Philly or returning to Southeast Texas
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The Houston Rockets are said to be strongly interested in bringing back James Harden, despite the franchise drafting another guard last week in number 4, Amen Thompson. The athletic.
“The Beard” will likely decline his $35.6 million player option with the 76ers and enter the offseason as a free agent as soon as Friday, according to multiple NBA reports.
Both the Rockets and Philadelphia are expected to be the front runners to bring in the former MVP.
Earlier in June, Shams Charania, from The athleticmentioned in another report that Harden, who turns 34 in August, is seriously “torn” between going back to Southeast Texas or staying in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Rockets, now coached by Ime Udoka, are still rebuilding their roster around 21-year-old guard Jalen Green since trading Harden to the Brooklyn Nets at the start of the 2021-2022 season.
The Houston Rockets still plan to aggressively pursue former guard James Harden this summer
The Rockets strengthened their backcourt by selecting No. 4 in this year’s draft, Amen Thompson
In contrast, the upcoming 2023-24 season will be championship or bust for Philly.
The 76ers suffered an Eastern Conference Finals exit to the Boston Celtics last season and fired former head coach Doc Rivers to replace him with Nick Nurse – a 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors.
Joel Embiid, who won his first MVP award for his regular season performance, will likely stay on for at least one more season unless major changes are made to the team’s roster.
Harden is “torn” between returning to Southeast Texas or continuing to play with MVP Joel Embiid
Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey, who knows Harden well from their time together in Houston, has made it no secret that he wants “The Beard” to return to lead the 76ers offense with Embiid for at least one more season.
Both players are seen as ‘critical’ to the team’s success and championship.
Harden will have to assess both options, but the Rockets are believed to be aggressively pursuing their former offensive maestro this offseason.
Houston will have to fend off the unlikely possibility of Harden signing with the LA Lakers, if the Purple and Gold are still interested in bringing home the Compton-born guard.
Harden was also linked with a shock reunion with Kevin Durant in Phoenix until the Suns landed Bradley Beal in a three-way trade, landing veteran guard Chris Paul – one of Harden’s teammates on the Rockets – on the Golden State Warriors.