Now president of basketball operations with the Philadelphia 76ers, Daryl Morey knows superstar guard James Harden quite well, dating back to their eight seasons together with the Houston Rockets.
With a potential Harden-Rockets reunion seemingly a real option in 2023 free agency, Morey was asked about Harden’s future with the Sixers in a recent interview with ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Morey’s response, via Liberty Ballers:
I know [Harden] is just focused on this season and not the offseason. I know he’s focused on winning the championship. He’s gonna be wherever he feels like he has the best chance. Obviously his pairing with [Joel] Embiid is very, very good and we feel like it’s a great pairing for the long term.
If that’s indeed the criteria, it’s hard to envision Harden leaving for Houston. After all, the Rockets (13-46) own the NBA’s worst record, while the Sixers (39-19) are one of the league’s top teams.
Then again, the reports on Harden’s interest in Houston are coming from somewhere, and it makes sense for Morey to hype up the criteria that Houston can’t beat — at least in the short-term.
Time will tell as to whether that assessment is correct. Going forward, the extent of Philadelphia’s run in the 2023 Eastern Conference playoffs — as well as any other roster moves in the offseason by both the Sixers and Rockets — could also play a role. Stay tuned!
“I know that he’s focused on winning the championship he’s gonna be wherever he feels like he’s got the best chance. Obviously his pairing with Embiid is very, very good. And we feel like it’s a great pairing for the long term.”
-Daryl Morey on SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/2p5feLwzDO
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) February 24, 2023
