Snce reports of a potential James Harden reunion with the Houston Rockets started picking up steam on Christmas, many fans around the NBA have wondered if it could simply be a leverage play.
For many, it’s hard to envision Harden leaving a superior team like the Philadelphia 76ers for less money. And, in most scenarios, a pending free agent’s existing team has the ability under the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement to offer the most guaranteed money. It’s simply a matter of whether that team is willing to do so, which is where outside leverage to force their hand could help.
