The Beard could be heading home.
James Harden is expected to rejoin the Houston Rockets this summer as a free agent, according to Philadelphia Inquirer sources.
Harden, who starred in Houston from 2012-21, winning the 2018 MVP award and making nine straight All-Star appearances while being the NBA’s scoring leader from 2018-2020, is expected to opt out of his $35.6 million deal for 2023-24 with the 76ers.
There are several reasons to consider the longstanding reunion rumors legitimate, starting with the Rockets having about $60 million in cap space this offseason.
Another is the rapport Harden and Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta have.
The Athletic reported the billionaire told the scorer, “You’re always welcome back here,” after he was traded to the Nets in a 2021 deadline blockbuster.
Harden’s mother also still lives in Houston, a city where he has several businesses and, according to Inquirer sources, is “treated like a god” there.
“The love and feelings are mutual,” he said before the Sixers battled the Rockets on Dec. 5 in Houston. “That’s never going to change. Like I said, I still own my home here. A lot of family still lives here.
“That feeling won’t change. What I meant by the game is obviously there’s no greater win or loss [in Houston compared to other places], but having that family environment around me is a little different.”
Harden was traded to Philly in 2022 after a disastrous, injury-marred attempt to build a Big 3 in Brooklyn, and teamed up with 2023 MVP Joel Embiid to turn the Sixers into a legitimate championship contender.
Philadelphia fell short against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, bringing about rumors of Harden’s 79-game tenure with the Sixers.
The 33-year-old is reportedly seeking a competitive roster and basketball freedom, per Bleacher Report, and a young Houston team could offer both.
The 76ers aren’t going to give up on Harden just yet and remain “interested in bringing him back,” GM Daryl Morey told reported this week.
“Scenario A would be to bring James back,” he sayd. “Scenario B, if he’s not back, will be we’ll have to get creative. And we feel good about the tools available to us if that happens.”
The Sixers’ situation is unsettled at the moment after the firing of coach Doc Rivers this week.