Free agency in the 2023 offseason promises to be a very interesting time for the Philadelphia 76ers. They have plenty of free agents they have to decide on, but the big fish is obviously James Harden.
The Beard has been linked to a return to the Houston Rockets in free agency since Christmas Day. Harden hasn’t exactly denied these reports, and it makes sense. His family is in Houston. He has business ventures there. The Rockets can offer him a lot of money just as Philadelphia can. There is mutual interest in a reunion.
The Sixers have a new coach: Nick Nurse took over for Doc Rivers. Nurse made his own free agency pitch to Harden, which was based on the fact that the Sixers have a great chance to win with him and Joel Embiid together.
Shams Charania of The Athletic, The Stadium and FanDuel hopped on “The Ryen Russillo Podcast” and said Harden is torn on whatever decision he has to make:
I really think that he’s torn with the prospect of staying in Philadelphia or moving on to Houston potentially and returning back to his home and that’s where his roots are, his family’s there. Of course, they’ve got upwards of $60, they could make even more money available, close to $70 million in cap space so they’re going to have a ton of money. I think this is a team in Houston where I do believe they’re going to be aggressive in the marketplace.
Charania went on about how the Rockets don’t want to add just Harden, but other big pieces to get back into contention in the Western Conference.
He also added Philadelphia’s side of things:
My sense right now is that James Harden is someone that’s torn. Like you said, Philadelphia makes the big trade for him, moves Ben Simmons, moves some draft assets, gets him — there’s some similarity there with him with Daryl Morey for years in Houston. They make the trade for him. With Nick Nurse there, like he said in the press conference when he was introduced in Philly like, James Harden wants to win, we want him back like we think we’re a better team with James Harden. Of course they are and how’s that team going to be different with Nick Nurse? Schematically, game plan wise, how does he adjust? Those are all conversations, I think Nick Nurse and James Harden and Daryl Morey are going to — I assume we’re going to have over the coming weeks and as we get closer to free agency.
The Sixers can offer Harden a 4-year $210 million deal while the Rockets can offer somewhere around $201 million. Now, will the Sixers offer Harden that much money? Maybe, maybe not. Philadelphia is focused on trying to make an offer fair for both sides. Either way, Harden’s free agency is going to be one interesting situation as June 30 approaches.
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