In the 2022 offseason, James Harden re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a 1-plus-1 deal, meaning he can opt out in the 2023 offseason. Of course, that could be just a formality to his re-upping in Philadelphia on a different deal, but a wrinkle was thrown into that plan on Christmas Day.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Harden is seriously considering a return to the Houston Rockets in 2023 free agency. The Beard spent more than eight seasons in Houston and he had most of his success with the franchise. As he nears the end of a Hall of Fame career, it would make sense for him to desire a return.
However, Harden is also chasing a championship. It’s the only thing missing from his career. At the moment, the Rockets aren’t a contender. They have numerous nice pieces, but they are still young and developing from their rebuild.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith offered some more tidbits on Harden’s interest in a Rockets reunion:
One of the reasons he, remember they didn’t have to let them go at that moment in time, but they were willing to do so because obviously James Harden had basically told them ‘You know what, this is someplace that I want to come back to in my career. I just need to find myself in a better situation to compete for a championship.’ His original target was Philadelphia with Daryl Morey. That wasn’t going to happen after Daryl Morey and Houston severed ties the way they did. So he settled on Brooklyn and ultimately ended up forcing his way to Philadelphia, but in the end, what it comes down to is this, they’re the only ones where he got a shot to get that money he wants. Nobody else will give James Harden that money. Not at this stage and point in his career, even though we saw him impressive the other night against the Clippers, and we know what he’s capable of doing as an all-around player. The bottom line is he’s not what he used to be.
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If it is about the money, then so be it. One can’t blame him for that. The Rockets have significant cap space for 2023 free agency and Harden has a family to take care of.
However, do the Rockets feel the same way? Smith added:
I’m saying once upon a time, that’s what they were saying. Whether they feel that way now? Maybe not, but James Harden feels that way because he knows that’s where the money is, potentially.
Either way, the Harden situation will be an interesting one to follow as the Sixers continue with their championship quest.
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