Getty Image / Tim Nwachukwu
In the 2022-23 NBA playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers had two chances to close out the Boston Celtics and advance to the first Eastern Conference Finals of Joel Embiid’s career.
They came up short on both of those chances, but still seem to want to run it back with the same core next season.
There’s just seems to be one big thing standing in the way of that.
The 76ers don’t know if they’ll be getting James Harden back for next year.
Harden has a player option on his contract for the 2023-24 season, but has yet to exercise that option.
That has led to reports about him potentially returning to the Houston Rockets or maybe even joining a different contender.
Despite the concerns about Harden leaving the 6ers, it appears the tide is beginning to turn on him sticking around in Philadelphia.
According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, current indications are that Harden is going to stay with the 76ers.
.@WindhorstESPN weighs in on Harden's future with the 76ers:
"The indications are that James Harden is going to remain in Philadelphia." pic.twitter.com/WggFUxGHb8
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 28, 2023
Windhorst also added that even though he expects Harden to stay in Philly, he is still likely to turn down his player option and look to get a more lucrative contract from the 76ers after he took a pay cut last season to help the team.
Bringing Harden back would be a huge step toward once again contending with the best teams in the East last season.
Harden has averaged 21 points and more than 10 assists in each of his seasons with the 6ers and has former a formidable core alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey,
If he does end still up leaving, the 76ers could turn to a player like Fred VanVleet for a reunion with Nick Nurse, but it would likely be easier for them if Harden sticks around as he has already proven that he fits with the rest of the team and could be even better with a new coach after Doc Rivers revealed their difficulties.
If the Philadelphia 76ers do get James Harden back, they’ll just need to hope that him and Embiid to put it all together in the big moments next season.