After a rough start to the season, the Philadelphia 76ers have finally played up to their talents in recent weeks. Prior to a loss at the hands of the Washington Wizards, the Sixers had won 8 games in a row to waltz up the standings and are playing the way many expected them to before the season began.
While Joel Embiid is the biggest reason they’re winning games, James Harden has been very impressive too. The Sixers, in fact, went on this good run when Harden returned from injury but received some troubling news regarding their star point guard recently. Right before their Christmas Day game against the New York Knicks, a report surfaced that Harden could return to the Houston Rockets next year. Harden was quick to refute the rumors and said he had no idea where they came from but an NBA GM has an idea regarding that and conveyed it to Ric Bucher.
via Fox Sports:
“The conventional reason would be that Harden wants to create leverage to get what he wants to re-sign with Philadelphia,” one Eastern Conference GM said. “The unconventional reason would be that Daryl needs to create leverage with his owners to get James what he already promised him.”
Harden did probably take that pay cut this past offseason after a handshake agreement that he’d get this big payday next season. GM Daryl Morey and Harden are obviously very close and perhaps the former did leak this in order to get ownership to agree on spending the big bucks to keep the star guard.
Jalen Rose Went Off At James Harden For Reportedly Wanting To Return To The Rockets
If this wasn’t put out by Morey, conventional wisdom would indicate that it came from Harden’s camp. He would want to pressure the Sixers into giving him a max contract and a threat of him leaving for the Rockets could force the top brass to relent and give him what he desires.
Jalen Rose wasn’t too happy about it, however, as he went off at Harden. Rose stated that Harden needs to help the team win because that is the expectation when you acquire a great player. If he does help the Sixers win the title or make a deep playoff run, they would be more than happy to give him the kind of deal he wants. Another flameout in the postseason would create some doubts over it, however.
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