James Harden Returning To Rockets ‘A Very Actual Risk’

James Harden can turn out to be a free agent once more this offseason and blackboxprovisions his market is anticipated to increase past the Philadelphia 76ers to the Houston Rockets. Whereas the Rockets have been a rebuild mode since buying and selling Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021, there seems to be critical mutual curiosity between the events courting again to a report on Christmas Day from Adrian Wojnarowski.

“I additionally imagine the Harden state of affairs is likely one of the extra below talked about issues with what is going on on within the season right here,” stated Brian Windhorst on his podcast. “We’re at all times responsible of wanting forward. And there was little or no dialogue about Harden. In all probability as a result of Philly has performed typically rather well for the final two months.

“Christmas Day, Woj comes out with that story that Houston needs to go over Harden and it was like ‘Whoa.’

“Not simply that Houston needs to, however Houston believes it’s a official risk and that is not popping out of skinny air,” stated Tim MacMahon. “James Harden nonetheless spends lots of time in Houston. Spends his summers in Houston. Works out on the Rockets’ facility frequently. It is a very actual risk. And Harden, by the best way, by no means shot it down. He simply stated ‘I do not know the place that got here from.'”

“It was form of a non-denial,” added Windhorst. “And that [storyline has] simply gone manner.”

Harden took a one-plus-one take care of the Sixers as a free agent final offseason price $68.6 million. Harden took a $15 million low cost to be able to assist the Sixers add P.J. Tucker and Danuel Home.

Whereas Harden and the Rockets might have critical curiosity in reuniting, it is also Harden trying to extend his probabilities of signing a profitable contract with the Sixers. Harden just lately employed Troy Payne as his agent.

“It is also a leverage level,” stated Windhorst.