As the NBA preseason begins tonight Philadelphia ranks as the most likely destination when the Rockets eventually reach the point of trading James Harden, league sources say.

Source: Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter)

ANALYSIS: The Rockets have insisted that they will not trade James Harden (for now), but as the hold-out situation seems to be getting worse in Houston, new Rockets GM Rafael Stone could be forced to ship out the former MVP as the season progresses. And with former Rockets GM Daryl Morey now the president of basketball operations in Philadelphia, a Harden to Philly trade seems like it could be in the works. Philadelphia would likely have to give up Ben Simmons in a package deal that would land them eight-time All-Star, James Harden.