James Harden trade update: NBA insider SIGNALS “real possibility” for All-star’s home return
Senior Insider believes James Harden is going to reunite with the Houston Rockets this summer.
Follow Us
James Harden (Credits: Chris Elise | NBAE via Getty Images)
James Harden and Joel Embiid-led Philadelphia 76ers are out of contention in the postseason. The duo once again failed to get a deep run and make some good noise in the playoffs. Joel Embiid bagged the MVP award but disappointingly once again recorded an early exit by not making it past the second round. James Harden did his role but he ain’t the same guy no more as he didn’t ball out against the Boston Celtics in the semifinals, which undoubtedly was one of the biggest series of his career.
But his future is already in discussion. James Harden took a pay cut with the Sixers, a season ago and got in a championship roster. And, unfortunately, all of those efforts are now washed as the Sixers now have a long summer to improve. The air around the league believes, with Game 7 loss to the Celtics the Sixers have also lost James Harden. As the rumors of him reuniting with the Houston Rockets are back and alive.
The chances of James Harden becoming a free agent this summer are real. As without a doubt it’s fair to say that the duo of him and Joel Embiid isn’t doing well. And, even Embiid has accepted that fact. So the possibility of James Harden declining his player option worth $35,640,000 with the Philadelphia 76ers and joining forces with the Houston Rockets again is very real.
The Houston Rockets have started to rebuild and just hired Ime Udoka as their new Head Coach. Also, they have a veteran spot open which James Harden rightly fills. Also, he’s their franchise star and would like to end his career in his city while having a shot at the title. As the Rockets this year would be drafting a lottery pick and can land generational talent Victor Wembanyama. That brings them into contention and with Harden in the system things just get better. Even Senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski believes the same.
Adrian Wojnarowski on James Harden reuniting with the Houston Rockets
Adrian Wojnarowski recently appeared on ESPN’s Get Up and there he discussed James Harden’d future. And, while doing so he quoted: “Houston is a very real possibility for Philadelphia’s James Harden in free agency. They have got an approx $60 million in cap space. They want to be much better next season. And, James Harden certainly pushed his way out of Houston… And, now with Free Agency upon him, the Sixers gotta decide how much they wanna invest long-term in James Harden at his age and where he’s at. But the comfort level in Houston for James Harden he’s got family there.”
Further, Adrian Wojnarowski added: “He’s very comfortable in that environment. This is an organization where he knows ownership, he knows the front office. I think regardless of Rockets whether or not they win the draft lottery… And they are the one to draft Victor Wembanyama, my sense is that would not necessarily change the Rockets’ intention to get James Harden.”
James Harden either way is going to get paid. As with the Sixers, he is capable of landing a $210 million deal for four years by re-signing. But the Houston Rockets can offer him the same and he can be in a better place than Philadelphia. As in Houston, the city knows him and he’ll also be the man in charge like the old days. So him declining the player option and opting to sign with the Houston Rockets is possible.
In Case You Missed It:
- “Our money… is not going toward that” – ESPN analyst FORBIDS Ja Morant’s signature shoes for his son
- “Going to hell” – Mark Jackson allegedly called gay Warriors president ‘p*nis grabber’
Stay Updated!
Ritik Malik
(1743 Articles Published)