Rockets Remain in Play for Sixers’ James Harden

The Rockets continue to be a serious contender to sign 76ers star guard James Harden in free agency, a source told Sam Amick of The Athletic.

That’s the opposite of what speculation has indicated lately, suggesting that Harden is headed back to Philadelphia. He is said to be seeking a four-year deal after declining his player option.

Harden, 33, 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.

Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Harden has shown “renewed consideration” to Morey and Philadelphia, per Stein. Still, a reunion with the Rockets apparently is not yet out of the question.

Even without Harden, the Sixers would have only about $9 million in cap space — meaning it would be difficult to find a replacement, noted Bobby Marks of ESPN.