The drama around James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers has only increased over the last few days.
Harden’s public lashing of Daryl Morey was the latest in what has been months of speculation and rumor about Harden’s future.
But Bill Simmons is confused about many of those rumors.
In the middle of the season, various reports said that Harden was strongly contemplating a move back to the Houston Rockets.
Who was the one to leak those rumors – and why?
On Twitter, Simmons asked the question:
“Don’t know if Harden thought he was wink-wink promised a 76ers max deal last summer, but let’s say it’s true… then who leaked all the stuff on Xmas Day to ESPN that Harden was ‘STRONGLY CONSIDERING’ a 2023 return to Houston?”
Don’t know if Harden thought he was wink-wink promised a 76ers max deal last summer, but let’s say it’s true… then who leaked all the stuff on Xmas Day to ESPN that Harden was “STRONGLY CONSIDERING” a 2023 return to Houston? Why the 2 orders Col. Jessup?https://t.co/G8s0xvUomJ
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) August 16, 2023
So, did Harden start to believe that he wasn’t going to get a max contract deal from Philadelphia in the offseason?
And did that lead him to leak rumors of a move back to Houston?
Was he attempting to test the market waters or pressure the Sixers to grant him a bigger payday?
It’s not clear what was going on at the time but that was a persistent rumor that swirled all the way until free agency started and it became clear that the Rockets has other priorities.
Now, Harden’s entire career is in disarray.
He is unhappy with the 76ers, doesn’t have a strong chance of going to the Los Angeles Clippers, and might not have many teams vying for him.
There was a chance that he was trying to be strategic a few months ago but that didn’t pay off as expected.
For months now, people have been wondering what Harden’s next step will be.
People are still wondering and the new season is quickly approaching.
NEXT: James Harden Admits A Desire To Play In China
