James Harden Seems Increasingly Likely to Return to Sixers

James Harden may not be headed for a reunion with the Rockets, after all.

Instead, it seems, the 76ers star guard is increasingly leaning toward a return to Philadelphia, as relayed by Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Harden has a close bond with the Rockets, or more specifically, the city of Houston. But he is also tight with former Rockets GM Daryl Morey, now the president of basketball operations with the Sixers.

Morey is among the reasons Harden could decide to stay with the Sixers, Stein suggested. Per previous reports, Harden is expected to opt out of his contract and will seek a new four-year deal.

While nothing is for certain, Harden is showing “renewed consideration” to Morey and Philadelphia, per Stein.

So another year of Harden and center Joel Embiid very well could be in the cards. Once the 76ers get that figured out, they will undoubtedly decide on other ways to reset the roster under new coach Nick Nurse.

Meanwhile, the Rockets seemingly have all sorts of plans to try to return to competitiveness under new coach Ime Udoka. It will start with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Keep up with all of that and more on our Rockets page and 76ers page.