Rumors: Harden Circles Back to Sixers in Trade Request

Rockets star James Harden has once again mentioned the 76ers as a potential destination in his trade request. According to a joint report from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski, Harden returned to the Sixers as an option once a potential outlet to the Nets failed to materialize.

On Tuesday, the report from ESPN revealed that Harden is open to re-connecting with Daryl Morey in Philadelphia.

After it was clear there was no traction in talks with the Nets, Harden expressed to the Rockets that he would be agreeable if a trade with the 76ers materialized, sources said. Harden also indicated that other teams could fit his criteria for a preferred destination, a source said.

ESPN’s report also mentioned that the Sixers and Rockets have not entered serious negotiations over the potential availability of Harden.

The Rockets and the Sixers have had no substantive talks about a potential Harden deal, sources said. New Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, the Rockets’ general manager for the previous 13 seasons, has said he has no intention to break up the Sixers’ All-Star duo of center Joel Embiid and guard/forward Ben Simmons.

Harden, who is under contract through the 2022-23 season (the final year is a player option), reported to the Rockets’ training camp on Tuesday.

You can read the full story from MacMahon and Wojnarowski at ESPN.