It’s been more than two years since James Harden forced his way out of Houston in January 2021, but he’s happy for his former team with what they received from the Brooklyn Nets for his services.
Now with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden was in Brooklyn on Saturday for the first time since leveraging his way from the Nets to the Sixers in February 2022. As part of his media availability, Harden reflected on his brief time in Brooklyn, both joining and departing.
With regards to the former, he joined upon forcing his way out of Houston after more than eight seasons with the Rockets.
While he defended his decision to leave Houston based on the team’s inability to win an NBA championship at the time, Harden made it clear that he was happy for the value the Rockets received in the trade. As it stands, that future draft capital could look even better thanks to the decisions in recent days by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to force their way out of Brooklyn, as well.
Among Harden’s comments, via Sixers Wire:
I didn’t just ask to leave for no reason. I was in a really good place in Houston. Obviously, we didn’t have a chance to win the championship, but I was comfortable. So for me to up and leave my family and all the things that I created there to Brooklyn for, what a year and a half? To just up and leave? It was for a real reason, but I’m happy for the organization in what they got back. They got some really good pieces.
With his Nets’ reunion complete, Harden and the 76ers will now return home to host the Rockets on Monday night in Philadelphia.
Everything James Harden had to say about his time with the Nets, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant after his return to Brooklyn #Sixers https://t.co/ntvQTMKchm via @SixersWire
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) February 12, 2023
