- According to BetOnline, James Harden is not expected to return to the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2023-24 season.
- The Nets traded Harden for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round draft picks in February 2022.
- Harden is currently on a two-year $68,640,000 contract with the 76ers. The 33-year-old guard has a $35.6 million player option, which he may exercise this offseason.
Is James Harden on the move again? If you listen to oddsmakers at BetOnline, then yes, Harden has played his last game with the 76ers.
Currently, Harden has -200 odds of playing for a new team in 2023-24. In other words, there is an implied probability that Harden has a 66.67% chance of joining a new organization.
Harden and the 76ers were knocked out of the playoffs following a Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday. The 76ers had a 29-23 lead after the 1st quarter, but were outplayed in the rest of the matchup.
Jayson Tatum poured in 51 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in the victory. Conversely, Harden was disappointing in what is possibly his final game with the 76ers.
Harden contributed just 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in the 24-point loss. The 76ers needed him to be much better in the biggest game of the year.
Where will James Harden play next season? 👀 pic.twitter.com/tKvO53SPZv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 15, 2023
The Harden Trade Was A Massive Failure For The 76ers
The 76ers finally found a suitor for Ben Simmons after months of speculation. However, they didn’t get any closer to the NBA Finals without Simmons on the roster.
In addition to dealing Simmons, the 76ers sent two first-round picks to the Nets. Losing the draft picks is what really stings in Philadelphia.
Saying goodbye to Simmons, Curry, and Drummond was not painful. That said, trading two first-round picks and not having any success in return with Harden is a tough pill to swallow.
Last season, the 76ers lost to the Miami Heat in six games in the same round. The 76ers were able to win one more playoff game than last year, but were denied a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals once again.
Ultimately, the 76ers acquired Harden to win an NBA championship. Unfortunately, they have been unable to even get to the Eastern Conference Finals with Harden on the roster.
Harden has some value in the trade market. However, with a player option and Harden having the power to become a free agent, the 76ers are in a tough position. All of the power is in Harden’s hands.
The 76ers may very well end up empty-handed after two years of losing in the playoffs with Harden.
Is A Reunion With The Houston Rockets In The Works?
Since Harden left Houston, the Rockets have not been a competitive team. Houston went 17-55, 20-62, and 22-60 across the last three seasons.
That being said, the Rockets are at a point where they might be ready to turn things around. They have been stockpiling young talent and are regarded as an up-and-coming team.
James Harden is ‘very serious’ about returning to Houston, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/UodboahxBS
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 15, 2023
Additionally, the Rockets will have another high draft pick in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft. There is a 14% chance that the Rockets win the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
Is this where the Rockets add a guy to the locker room that knows his way around Houston? Does Harden even want to go back to Houston? Regardless, rumors will persist that Harden is heading back to Houston this offseason.
At 33 years old, Harden is in search of an NBA ring. If the Rockets get lucky and win the NBA Draft Lottery, Harden might view this team as a contender with Wembanyama.
The Rockets have salary cap room on their roster to welcome back Harden. In fact, they will have the most salary cap space in the NBA this offseason.
Currently, the Rockets have the best odds of landing Harden at -150 odds. This bet is only for if Harden is on a new team. If he remains in Philadelphia, the wager is void. A more likely contender for the NBA title next season isn’t too far behind the Rockets, though.
Two-Team Race Between Rockets and Suns
If Harden doesn’t return to Philadelphia or have a reunion in Houston, what are the alternative options? According to oddsmakers at BetOnline, it has to be the Suns.
The Suns have +175 odds of signing Harden in 2023. They are well ahead of the Dallas Mavericks, who have the third-best odds of acquiring Harden at +1200 odds.
After a disappointing exit from the playoffs, the Suns might be interested in going all-in. The interest between Harden and the Suns might be mutual. The latest rumor is that Harden is interested in joining the Phoenix Suns.
Head coach Monty Williams was fired after losing in six games to the Denver Nuggets. Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton could be the next Suns leaving the desert. This would open up an opportunity for Harden to join Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
It would not be the first time that Harden and Durant have played together. Durant played for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2007 to 2016. Harden spent the first 3.5 years of his career in Oklahoma City from 2009 to 2013 before being traded to the Rockets.
Additionally, Durant and Harden both played on the underperforming Brooklyn Nets team along with the disgruntled Kyrie Irving. Harden was sent packing to Philadelphia, Durant to Phoenix and Irving to Dallas.
Are we going to see a reunion between Durant and Harden? Or, will it be a reunion between the Rockets and Harden? The current betting odds at BetOnline suggest that these scenarios are more realistic than Harden returning to play for the 76ers for the 2023-24 season.
