Given the reporting that’s emerged over the past week—that even after deciding to opt into the final year of his contract, James Harden wants out of Philadelphia—it’s more than fair to wonder what exactly the star guard is thinking.
For starters, the Sixers have a contending roster. Sure, it isn’t perfect. But it’s one that’s capable of winning the whole thing if league MVP Joel Embiid is healthy, young star Tyrese Maxey keeps improving, Harden is solid and everything else plays out in their favor. It’s not a situation that a future Hall of Fame player with no championships to their name would generally back away from. But beyond that, on the most basic level, there’s also the fact that Harden would now be moving to his fourth team in four seasons after spending seven seasons as an MVP candidate and perennial contender with the Rockets; an almost-Westbrookian carousel for a player whose game is hardly as predicated on athleticism as his. Even if Harden gets his way and soon lands with the Clippers, it certainly doesn’t reflect well on him that each scenario becomes untenable for him so quickly.
All of which brings up an interesting point as reports surface that the Sixers—and executive Daryl Morey specifically—would like Harden to return for this final year of his deal. On its face, it seems a little odd, particularly with superstar Damian Lillard available via trade.
