James Harden has opted in for the $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Philadelphia 76ers. But the franchise are looking at suitors as they want to trade the veteran guard. According to several reports, Harden has played his last game for the Philadelphia 76ers.
ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that Harden has played his last game for Philadelphia as the franchise want to explore trade deals for the veteran guard.
There are also reports emerging that Harden had an offer from the Houston Rockets on his table. A reunion with his former franchise was on the cards, that may not be the case as of now.
As per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, the 10-time All-Star was not happy with the recent comments made by Rockets star Jalen Green in a podcast with Paul George.
“I heard that he caught wind of Jalen’s podcast with Paul George. He wasn’t too keen of some of the things that Jalen was saying,” Iko highlighted in the Athletic NBA Show.
Harden was not happy with Green’s comments because he once mentored Green during their time at Houston and for him to say all those things about a potential return for Harden was hurtful for the Sixers guard.
“This is a guy in James that came multiple summers to Houston, took him under his wing and kind of mentored him and kind of worked out with him. For him to say, ‘It could be good. It could be bad’. He didn’t like that very much,” Ike added.
The Rockets were considered a top team to land Harden but after the podcast, they are out of the race. The 2017-18 season MVP has opted into his final year of his contract. However ESPN has already reported that the franchise are exploring options to trade him away.
Jalen Green recently appeared on Paul George’s podcast, Podcast P, and they discussed about Harden’s potential return to the Houston Rockets. Paul George felt that Green’s growth at the franchise could take a hit if Harden joins the team.
“I agree. I think it can play both ways like you just said. It can help and hurt at the same time. I haven’t really talked to him too much about the rumors and stuff like that. I’m with you on that,” Jalen Green replied regarding Harden’s comeback.
The Houston Rockets finished second last in the Western Conference with a regular season 2022-23 record of 22-60. Therefore to do better next season then desperately need some reinforcements.
