The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly are considering hiring former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni in the hopes that it will help convince Rockets star James Harden to join the 76ers at some point in the future.
John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports that having D’Antoni might help grease the wheels to having the Houston guard either join the team in free agency (Harden has a player option in 2022), or perhaps via trade sooner.
While there aren’t any indications the superstar is unhappy with his current situation, it seems likely there will be at least some changes coming down the pike in terms of roster construction after D’Antoni’s exit, and it’s always possible the front office may look to make some fairly radical moves as well.
I’m hearing one of the reasons along with coaching that Sixers have a lot of interest in Mike D’Antoni is feeling with some in organization that he could help lure James Harden to Philly
Harden can become a free agent in 2 years and there is possibility of trade pic.twitter.com/gJVecCuhHN
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 24, 2020
With the Rockets luminary already 31 years old, waiting for free agency may not be an especially wise option, but it certainly isn’t foolish to hire top-tier coaches with a shot at influencing the decisions of equally top-tier talent they have pre-existing relationships with, either.
In an age of player empowerment, it’s become the norm for players to force their way to new situations, and truth be told both of these franchises are in need of shaking things up in a big way.
[jwplayer BfutOpo8]
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