NBA Rumors: James Harden gives Knicks fans another reason to root against Sixers

If it were possible, New York Knicks fans would be rooting for the Sixers and Nets to both lose in their first-round series. The next best thing would be watching Brooklyn get swept for the second year in a row, which is still possible as Philadelphia has a 2-0 lead entering Game 3 at Barclays on Thursday.

The Sixers are in pursuit of a title after James Harden took a pay cut (how valiant of him) over the summer so that Philadelphia could spend more in free agency. He has a $35.6 million player option for 2023-24 that he could opt out of to become an unrestricted free agent. At age 33, Harden is still in pursuit of his first ring, which could happen this year, but hopefully not.

Assuming that Philadelphia will get past Brooklyn, the Sixers would then go on to face the winner of Boston-Atlanta. As of right now, it seems likely that it’ll be the Sixers and Celtics squaring off in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, another Atlantic Division showdown.

If that were to happen, Knicks fans would need to consider rooting for Boston. Yes, that sounds crazy, but with Harden’s future in Philadelphia unclear, there’s a belief that he has a desire to return to Houston during the offseason.

Knicks’ division rival James Harden to Rockets reportedly “very much in play”

Here’s what ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on his podcast:

“James Harden’s future is very unclear in Philadelphia. And I think a lot may depend on [whether] they make a run and win and it’s easy to pay him long-term big money, or he just wants to be in Houston. Win or lose he goes, or it’s dependent on the team’s success.”

Based on what Woj said, Harden’s future seems to be hinging on what the Sixers are able to accomplish in the playoffs. A second-round exit would be a tough blow to Philadelphia for more than one reason.

This isn’t the first time that the Harden-Rockets rumor has popped up. ESPN’s Tim Macmahon reported a few weeks ago that Harden returning to Houston is a “very real possibility.” Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, right?

The Rockets recently fired Stephen Silas after their 2022-23 season game to an end. Houston posted a 22-60 record and has a 14% chance to land the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, otherwise known as Victor Wembanyama. The Rockets are hoping to turn the franchise in a new direction. Given that Houston has max cap space, Harden could return “home.”

After Daryl Morey lured James Harden to Philadelphia from Brooklyn, it seems as if Morey could lose him less than two years later to Houston.

• Published on 04/20/2023 at 5:00 PM EDT
• Last updated on 04/20/2023 at 5:00 PM EDT