Welcome James Harden!

[Stanford]

not convinced at all that houston wants harden back

Entirely a leverage play on Harden's side. There's no way decision-makers in Houston are watching these playoffs and saying "sign me up for 3 years of that."

[SixthStreet]

not convinced at all that houston wants harden back

This is the part most people don't understand. Houston just for feels wants to pay Harden the 5 year max (in a sign and trade where we get minimal assets back)? Just when they are entering a window you'll have 2-3 more years of an albatross of a contract to manage to build a contender around at the same time you (hopefully) will be signing some guys to big second deals.

It makes absolutely no sense for the Rockets which, more than anything Sixers related, makes me believe the rumors are nonsense and just clickbait.

[Eyeamok]

Joel asked for Tucker he got Tucker. With Harden Joel has been the best version of himself period. If Joel wants Harden, Harden will be here.

[Stanford]

Houston just for feels wants to pay Harden the 5 year max

I was saying 3 was unlikely. 5 is obscene.

[NYSixersFan]

I'd let Harden walk. Assuming we don't win the title this year.

[HardenGoat]

I think he’s going to play better this next game. He was getting it going before they ejected him. That said I also think Maxey should get more reign to simply score. They could take turns like CP3 did, Harden can easily adopt a shooting guard role when Maxey leads.

[ProcessDoctor]

Tatum, Ingram, and Giannis can all become UFAs Summer of 2025.

Luka has a player option summer of 2026.

3-year max at most for Harden. We can trade his expiring (3rd year) plus a pick to outright sign one of the 2025 guys. I really want to extend the Embiid window with Maxey + 3rd star for as long as we can.

[mjkvol]

Tatum, Ingram, and Giannis can all become UFAs Summer of 2025.

Luka has a player option summer of 2026.

3-year max at most for Harden. We can trade his expiring (3rd year) plus a pick to outright sign one of the 2025 guys. I really want to extend the Embiid window with Maxey + 3rd star for as long as we can.

Luka is a wild card, and Ingram depends to a degree on whether the Pels feel they have a future with Zion, but I can't see Tatum or Giannis not being locked up well before summer 2025.

[phillynative]

Harden is no longer a reliable scorer if hes not hitting the step back 3, great playmaker but predictable offensively.

[ProcessDoctor]

Tatum, Ingram, and Giannis can all become UFAs Summer of 2025.

Luka has a player option summer of 2026.

3-year max at most for Harden. We can trade his expiring (3rd year) plus a pick to outright sign one of the 2025 guys. I really want to extend the Embiid window with Maxey + 3rd star for as long as we can.

Luka is a wild card, and Ingram depends to a degree on whether the Pels feel they have a future with Zion, but I can't see Tatum or Giannis not being locked up well before summer 2025.

I think the most realistic one is Tatum tbh. He and Embiid are boys. Agree we won’t have a legit shot at Giannis though.

[FireMorey]

If Morey re-signs Harden for 5 years it will be the worst move in Sixers history. I'm hoping the "Harden back to Houston" rumors are because Morey told him he doesn't want to commit more than a year or two. I probably wouldn't even go more than a year.

[phillynative]

Houston can have him but not for free...

[Negrodamus]

No games until next week? The Houston strip club scene has been put on notice.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I'm going to reserve judgement on Harden until after the playoffs. For what it's worth, I expected him to struggle at times against Brooklyn. They have some really good individual defenders on that team in Bridges, DFS, and Royce O'neal. I'm willing to see how he does against Boston before a hot take on my part (which I'm guilty of).

[rocketsfan100]

Actually despite missing some bunnies around the hoop harden was getting by some elite defenders like DFS and Bridges with relative ease.

[JordanMars]

misses so many easy floaters and layups these days. hopefully the rest has him fresh for a must win game 1 in boston

[Arsenal]

Problem w/Harden's finishing is he isn't getting any calls, so he's trying a lot of floaters where he's inconsistent. We have to hope the refs don't allow Saltics to mug him on every drive. They get away with murder on defense so it's a lot to hope for.

[mjkvol]

I really wish he would go more often to that little pull up jumper when penetrating. That shot seems to be money, and is far more consistent than his floaters and layup attempts.

[phillynative]

In post game he talked about sacrifices whether it's his money or his role. He said when he used to drop 40-50 points people say you can't win like that..but now that hes dropping 20pts and 11assists people say he's not the old Harden anymore.

IMO he's being clever . He's always been a good playmaker even in college. He became an elite scorer when he went to Houston. I dont think people were saying he couldn't win in his prime because he was an explosive scorer , they were saying it because of how ball dominant he is. He's still pretty ball dominant but he is no longer a guy that can give you 40/50 when needed thats pretty obvious . Its ok but acting like it's a sacrifice instead of a drop off in ability is deceptive.

[SpreeS]

It won’t be easier for Harden against Celtics defence. Sad ending for him.