James Harden has been linked with a possible return to the Houston Rockets for several months and the second round exit of the Philadelphia 76ers did nothing to change that possibility. Harden has a $35.64 million player option for next season with the Sixers.
“It may ultimately be a leverage play for James Harden,” Adrian Wojnarowski said. “Houston may be his way to get him the kind of guaranteed money, long-term money he wants from Philly. But I wouldn’t underestimate it as just a leverage play. I think he’s very serious about returning [to Houston].”
Wojnarowski also reported that the Rockets would be interested in signing Harden even if they win the lottery with a chance to draft Victor Wembanyama.
“If [the Rockets] win the lottery … and they’re the ones who can draft Victor Wembanyama, my sense is that would not necessarily change the Rockets’ intentions to pursue James Harden.”
