Former NBA MVP James Harden has a $35.6 million player option with the Philadelphia 76ers for the next season, and rumors around the league suggest that he will opt out of his contract to sign with another team.
According to NBA TV’s Brian Geltzeiler, the Phoenix Suns are one of Harden’s preferred destinations.
“With free agency pending for James Harden, I’m hearing there is another team prominently on his radar in addition to Houston. That team is the Phoenix Suns,” Gelzeiler tweeted on Tuesday.
If Harden lands in Phoenix, he will form a deadly trio with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that one of Harden’s reasons to leave the 76ers is that he does not want to play for coach Doc Rivers again.
“Behind the scenes, from what I’m told, one person said to me it would be hard for me to see James wanting to come back and play for Doc again,” Shelburne reported.
Harden joined the 76ers in 2022 via trade from the Brooklyn Nets. He and Joel Embiid formed a formidable duo that had a chance to enter the Eastern Conference Finals. However, they lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the East Semifinals. (MJD)
With free agency pending for James Harden, I’m hearing there is another team prominently on is radar in addition to Houston. That team is the Phoenix Suns.
— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) May 15, 2023
According to @ramonashelburne James Harden coming back to the Sixers would depend on Doc Rivers as coach.
“Behind the scenes, from what I’m told, one person said to me it would be hard for me to see James wanting to come back and play for Doc again.” pic.twitter.com/RRTcwOcJLT
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) May 15, 2023
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