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James Harden. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

76ers not 'motivated' to pay James Harden max deal, says insider

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 5/25/23

While the 2023 NBA free agent group isn't as star-studded as we've seen in some other years, the top two players alone have already generated their fair share of rumors and rumblings prior to the offseason.

Kyrie Irving and James Harden are the two free-agency headliners, and the chatter about their futures started picking up many months ago.

Of the many topics surrounding a player like Harden, the fact that this free-agent class isn't loaded with big names switching teams could wind up benefiting his current team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

While there are teams capable of paying top dollar for Harden, it's unknown if anyone will push the Sixers hard, although the narrative has been about a potential reunion with the Houston Rockets.

According to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst though, Harden may be selling the idea of going back to Houston "a little too hard." Windhorst broke that down while also stating that the Sixers are "unmotivated" to give Harden a max contract.

Brian Windhorst says the Sixers are unmotivated to give Harden the max. He also says that Harden may be selling the idea of going back to Houston, a little too hard. (Using Houston as contract leverage with Philly). The Sixers bringing Harden back on a deal lower than the $50m… pic.twitter.com/xSN56t2AiW
— Aidan LaPorta (@aidanlaporta69) May 25, 2023

Although the idea of returning to Houston, where he spent nine seasons, to finish his career may have appeal to it, the Rockets have a young core they've been hyper-focused on building around. Adding Harden would certainly improve their immediate outlook, but a big question is how it'd impact a group that includes Jabari Smith, Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr., among others.

James Harden's outlook ahead of 2023 NBA free agency

Harden made just north of $35.6M last season and is set to turn 34 in August. Although he's not as offensively dominant as he was during his time in Houston, which included a three-year stretch of 30-plus points per game, he's remained a top-tier "do-it-all" type player.

Harden averaged the second-most assists per game of his career last season at 10.7 while posting marks of 21 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting. He also tallied the second-highest three-point percentage of his career at 38.5 percent while attempting 2.5 more shots from beyond the arc than that season (2011-12).

When free agency gets underway, it'll be interesting to see what options Harden has on the table. The Sixers appear extremely likely to make a big offer to Harden, although as Windhorst spoke about, it may not be a max deal.

If Harden returns to Philadelphia, the Sixers' championship window is wide-open with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and that will almost certainly be one of his best options if his primary focus is on winning a title.

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