The Rockets have been reported to be a serious contender to sign James Harden in free agency this offseason, and apparently that remains the case even though the team added to its backcourt at Thursday’s NBA draft.
Despite selecting guard Amen Thompson with the No. 4 pick, Houston is still seriously interested in reuniting with Harden, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Harden is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option with the 76ers to become a free agent on Friday, and both Philadelphia and the Rockets are expected to be favorites to land the former MVP.
Harden is seriously torn between both squads, according to a June 7 report from Shams Charania of The Athletic. Houston is in full rebuild mode and boasts a young core centered around guard Jalen Green, whereas it’s championship or bust for Philadelphia going into the 2023–24 season
The 76ers lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals this past season and fired coach Doc Rivers after the playoff ouster even though star center Joel Embiid won his first MVP award for his regular-season performance. Now with a new coach in Nick Nurse, the 76ers hope to run it back with Harden as the offense’s maestro. But the Rockets likely will pursue Harden heavily during the recruiting process.
