NBA Swing: Could Harden Really Leave the Sixers?

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While there have been many headlines that have dominated the 2022-23 season, there has been one story that has gone under the radar. Earlier this season, a report came out saying that Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden could be eyeing a return to the Houston Rockets. Recent reports from The Athletic have kept the rumors strong and in the news. Harden spent over half of his career in Houston. The Beard saw his best years there, including an MVP award and two trips to the Western Conference Finals. Harden requested a trade out of Houston early during the 2020-21 NBA season, going to Brooklyn before requesting a trade once more and landing in Philadelphia.

In his two seasons and a half with the Sixers, Harden has been a great fit for the team. Paired alongside superstar Joel Embiid, the Beard does not have to put up the numbers he did during his time in Houston. Putting up around 21.3 PPG during his time in Philly so far (the lowest PPG since his last season in OKC), Harden has embraced his role as the number two option behind Joel Embiid. Putting up double-digit assists for the third season in a row, Harden’s distribution has been one of his best qualities on the team. While the Sixers have been good in both seasons with Harden, they aren’t getting where they want to be.

Last season saw the Sixers exit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Heat. This season, Philly currently sits at 31-21, the third-best record in the East. While they have had a solid season, they may see another early playoff exit. With Brooklyn and Milwaukee looking like they’re destined for an Eastern Conference Finals matchup, the Sixers could start their offseason early. This offseason could be a big season for the Sixers. With Harden signing a two-year deal before the season’s beginning (with a player option for the 2023-24 season), he could leave this offseason if he truly wanted to.

Although rumors say Houston is on Harden’s radar, it is not the same team he left a couple of seasons ago. Jalen Green has shown glimmers of being a future star while Alperen Sengun looks like a big man with a solid future in the league. Rookie Jalen Smith has had a solid season thus far as well. With Harden being 34 by the time the 2023-24 season starts, he could be looking at his last big-time deal. Next season, Houston will only have $60 million in guaranteed cap, more than enough room to sign Harden to a big deal. While Harden could get another big contract, it would be hard to compete in a Western Conference that has only become more stacked since he left the conference in 2021. With the Rockets being one of the worst teams in the league this season, they currently sit at the bottom of the standings, the odds of them landing a top 2023 draft pick. Landing Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson would be huge for the Rockets. Pairing one of those players alongside the Rockets young core and James Harden would make the Rockets a promising team. Would it be enough to compete in the West though?

With the rumors of Harden returning to the Rockets not going anywhere any time soon, the next few months will be full of questions and intrigue for James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers. While the rest of Philadelphia’s season is focused on solidifying their playoff spot, the Harden to Houston rumors will loom over the team. Another disappointing playoff run could see the end of James Harden in Houston. There is no telling if Harden will opt into his player option this offseason or not, but anything is possible in the NBA.