76ers’ star James Harden has ‘a very real possibility’ of rejoining the Rockets in free agency

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden is in the final year of his contract and holds an option for free agency.

And there is a genuine possibility he may return to the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon.

Harden once starred for the Rockets after being traded to the team ahead of the 2012 season before he eventually forced a trade to the Brooklyn Nets after only eight games in 2020.

‘I also believe the Harden situation is one of the more under talked about things with what’s going on in the season here,’ said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. 

‘We are always guilty of looking ahead. And there has been very little discussion about Harden. Probably because Philly has played generally really well for the last two months. 

James Harden has ‘a very real possibility’ of rejoining the Houston Rockets in free agency

Harden established himself as one of the league’s best players while previously being a Rocket

‘Christmas Day, Woj comes out with that story that Houston wants to go over Harden and it was like ‘Whoa.’

‘Not just that Houston wants to, but Houston believes it is a legitimate possibility and that’s not coming out of thin air,’ said Tim MacMahon. 

‘James Harden still spends a lot of time in Houston. Spends his summers in Houston. Works out at the Rockets’ facility on a regular basis. It’s a very real possibility. And Harden, by the way, never shot it down. He just said ‘I don’t know where that came from.’

‘It was kind of a non-denial,’ added Windhorst. ‘And that [storyline has] just gone way.’ 

As the duo mentioned ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had reported back on Christmas Harden was ‘seriously considering’ going back to Houston after this season if he decides to leave the Sixers.

Wojnarowski also noted Harden has ‘maintained something of a magnetic pull to Houston, drawn to the community, lifestyle and family’ of the city. 

Harden also enjoyed astronomical amounts of success in Houston winning MVP during the 2017-18 season and leading the league in scoring in three consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2020.

The seven-time All-Pro also recently hired a new agent and the reports could simply be leverage to secure a lucrative contract this offseason, even if it is not in Houston.

He was also well known for enjoying the community and nightlife in the local Houston area