James Harden has been one of the best players to have ever won an NBA title. Over the years, the impact he has had on the sport and the league is enormous. With that said, he has featured for multiple NBA franchises and is still looking for his first ring. He moved to Philadelphia in hope of that but it hasn’t been what Harden expected.
In February, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Harden and sent the troubled Ben Simmons the other way to the Brooklyn Nets. The move came as a shock to many, especially since the Nets had the likes of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on their roster.
It raised the question of why he wanted to leave a team with players of world-class status. However, it seems like that might happen again with Harden. There have been new reports to rise about his future with the Sixers.
ESPN Sources: All-Star guard James Harden is seriously considering a return to the Houston Rockets in free agency this July — if he decides against a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers: https://t.co/ZqJGIL1ZeP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 25, 2022
Recently, sources suggested that Harden might consider a return to the Houston Rockets, a team he spent 9 years with. For those who do not know, The Beard requested a trade and moved out of Houston to the Nets. He has mentioned in the past that the New York-based franchise was not stable enough to contend for the title. This was when he wanted to leave.
Is James Harden going to the Houston Rockets?
The fact that he wants to leave Philly is quite interesting. Along with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris, Harden has won 8 games in a row in recent times. They certainly look to be one of the teams to make the playoffs without any hassle.
Moreover, Harden became a free agent to sign a new contract with the Sixers. He took a huge pay cut in June. He declined the player option for $47.4 million. If Harden went for it, he would have been one of the highest-paid in the league.
Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden is declining his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season and intends to return on a contract in free agency that gives the team financial flexibility to bolster the roster, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022
However, he went into free agency and signed a new 2-year deal worth $68.6 million. The reason for this would be so that they can build a championship-contending team with the money they’re not paying him.
Harden might have finally gotten the title-challenging team he wanted all his career. Along with that, he has another superstar to help him on the court as well. He was asked about these rumors after the reports raised many eyebrows.
James Harden on Rockets reunion rumors:
“Why would you ask me about that on Christmas, man?… You didn’t say Merry Christmas or nothing. You asked me about something that I ain’t even… I’m not answering. I didn’t see nothing.”
(via @PompeyOnSixers, https://t.co/epdItxkFEs) pic.twitter.com/X1p1PJ3nYT
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 25, 2022
He said to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “I’m here. We are playing very well. And I don’t know where the report came from. But I’m very excited to be here. We are playing well, and we’re continuing to get better.” Together with that, the 33-year-old was also unhappy about the fact that he was asked these questions on Christmas, and declined to answer before the game.
It looks like he wanted to put all these rumors to bed after all. Despite what many may claim, Harden claims he wishes to focus on what he’s been doing with the Sixers. The American is still looking to capture his maiden NBA title and has done well so far this season.