Report: James Harden considering return to Rockets in free agency

Brian Fritz
Dec 25 2022

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that All-Star guard James Harden is seriously considering a return to the Houston Rockets in free agency this July -- if he decides against a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 33-year-old Harden has a $35.6 million player option for 2023-24. The Rockets have $45 million in cap space, including the $20.9 million non-guaranteed contract of Eric Gordon.

Houston is the second-youngest in the NBA, with a record of 9-23 this season (which is third-worst in the league). That means they're positioned to get one of the top picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, which is expected to be a strong class headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.

In his second season with the 76ers, Harden is averaging 21.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 10.9 assists while shooting 36.4% from three-point range.

Just hours before the trade deadline last season, Philadelphia acquired Harden in a blockbuster deal with Brooklyn; the Nets got Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks in return.