James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a foul during the third inning of a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2022 in New York City. Dustin Satloff/Getty Images/AFP
Former NBA star James Harden was forced to leave Houston in a deal nearly two years ago but is now considering a return to the Rockets as a free agent if he chooses not to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN news on Sunday.
The veteran guard signed a two-year, $68.6 million deal with the Sixers that allows him to opt out before next season and become a free agent.
Whether the rebuilding Rockets are interested in 33-year-old Harden, though ESPN says the team will have roughly the necessary salary cap.
The 76ers won seven straight games against the New York Knicks on Sunday, and Harden and center star Joel Embiid became a strong pair. ESPN says whether Philadelphia succeeds after a strong season or falls short of the record could determine Harden’s next move.
Although he wants to leave Houston from a basketball standpoint, ESPN says Harden enjoys the Houston lifestyle and has his family there, and as he gets older, he can make the community yearn for the title right away. ie.
Harden began his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who picked him in 3rd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. He was at the center of an October 27, 2012 deal that brought him to Houston. .
He spent more than eight seasons with the Rockets, leading them to the knockout stages each year, twice reaching – and losing – the Western Conference finals. He won three straight NBA scoring titles and MVP in 2018, but he became depressed and the Rockets traded him to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a blockbuster, four-team deal on… January 13, 2021.
He was never matched with fellow stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant and was traded to the Sixers in February in a massive deal that saw Philadelphia part ways with Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two future first picks for Harden and Paul Millsap.
During the season, Harden is averaging 21.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 10.9 assists.
In 959 career games (745 appearances), Harden averaged 24.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.9 assists.
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