James Harden’s future has been quite the talking point among NBA fans recently. Harden stated earlier in the season that he wanted to experience free agency for the first time in his career during the offseason. While Harden has stated that he is happy in Brooklyn, there is reasonable doubt over his future.
One of the most talked-about landing spots for James Harden has been the Philadelphia 76ers, who seem to be interested in landing him. The 76ers were one of the teams that were in the running for Harden before he joined Brooklyn. The 76ers’ president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has a very close relationship with Harden and wants to bring him to Philly.
Whether they try to acquire Harden through a trade or free agency isn’t yet clear. But it appears they have made him a target. A recent report by 76ers writer Keith Pompey states that the 76ers are ‘all in’ for Harden, and want to land him. The report also points to a strange tactic the 76ers could use.
The Sixers are ‘all the way’ in on James Harden, per @PompeyOnSixers
Sixers co-owner Michael Rubin is ‘tight’ with James Harden’s close friend Lil Baby pic.twitter.com/XI52nvUCSG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 25, 2022
This report suggested that the 76ers’ co-owner Michael Rubin has a good rapport with Harden’s close friend and rapper Lil Baby, and could use Lil Baby in order to lure Harden to the 76ers franchise.
NBA fans were highly amused by this report. Many of them noted that Pompey’s track record for reporting on the 76ers was not the strongest, so this report should be taken with a pinch of salt. Whereas others were just confused as to why the 76ers would need to use a musician to lure Harden to their franchise.
https://twitter.com/BannedKingJolly/status/1485829347319635971https://twitter.com/HardensBetta/status/1485823951590895617https://twitter.com/BannedKingJolly/status/1485822918844194818https://twitter.com/BannedKingJolly/status/1485824524738252800
I’ve always liked him
— ry (@NinjaBands) January 25, 2022
He's a celtic sadly
— NigelsW0RLD (@HausersW0RLD) January 25, 2022
Except the player in and photoshop is 5yrs younger, still in his prime, and can actually fit in the cap. Morey really pulling one on Philly smh
— TigersHoops23 (@mnsportsfan55) January 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/hurtsplswin/status/1485822950989344772https://twitter.com/HardensBetta/status/1485823622497320964
They can’t fine Lol Baby for tampering
— A (@VoidzMo) January 25, 2022
One has to wonder how Lil Baby could conceivably be part of the strategy to bring Harden in. Firstly, Lil Baby is from Atlanta and is a vocal fan of the Atlanta Hawks. Why he would help any other franchise sign one of his close friends and one of the best players in the league is a question that needs answering.
We don’t know how much truth there is to the 76ers’ using Lil Baby to lure Harden. But it should not come as a surprise that the franchise is interested in Harden. After losing Ben Simmons, they will need to pair Joel Embiid with another star in order to keep their championship window open.
