NBA: James Harden on Houston Rockets still playing despite franchise draft Amen Thompson
The Houston Rockets are reportedly very focused on getting James Harden back, despite the fact that the franchise will draft another guard last week with No. 4 pick Amen Thompson. Athletic.
The Beard appears likely to decline his $35.6 million option with the 76ers and enter the offseason as a free agent as early as Friday, according to multiple NBA insiders.
Both the Rockets and Philadelphia are expected to be top teams to induct the former MVP.
Earlier in June, Shams Charania, from Athletictalked about another message that Harden, who turns 34 in August, is critically “torn” between going to Southeast Texas or staying in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Rockets, now coached by Ime Udoka, are re-signing 21-year-old guard Jaylen Green for the first time since Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for the 2021-22 season.
However, the Houston Rockets plan to aggressively pursue former point guard James Harden this summer.
The Rockets bolstered their backcourt with the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft, Amen Thompson
In contrast, the upcoming 2023-2024 2018 season could be a championship or a bust for Philly.
The 76ers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Boston Celtics last season and fired former head coach Doc Rivers to replace him with Nick Nurse of the 2019 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors.
Joel Embiid, who received his first MVP award for overall season efficiency, looks set to continue for at least one more season, barring major roster changes.
Harden is “torn” between returning to Southeast Texas or persevering to play with MVP Joel Embiid.
Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey, who knows Harden well from his time in Houston, has made it no secret that he wants “The Beard” back to co-lead the 76ers offense with Embiid for at least one more season.
Both players are considered “critical” to the team’s success and championship.
Harden has to evaluate each option, however, the Rockets are believed to be aggressively pursuing their former offensive maestro this offseason.
Houston must eliminate the unlikely possibility of Harden signing with the Los Angeles Lakers if the Purple and Gold do focus on getting the Compton-born guard back.
Harden was also linked to a shocking reunion with Kevin Durant in Phoenix until the Suns landed Bradley Beal in a three-way trade, landing veteran Chris Paul — surely one of Harden’s Rockets teammates — to the Golden State Warriors.
