Sixers: Is James Harden using Rockets as contract leverage?

Given the Sixers' reported reluctance to offer James Harden a max deal, there's a possibility that the Rockets rumor is just a smokescreen.

James Harden has been linked to a potential return to the Houston Rockets for months. There's certainly a lot of smoke regarding this potential free agency move from the Beard. Even ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, one of the most reputable news sources in the NBA, dumped fuel into the fire of this potential reunion. With Harden's Philadelphia 76ers having flamed out of the playoffs once more, there's certainly a strong possibility that Harden bolts for someplace where the grass is greener.

Nevertheless, one possibility that has been floated around by some pundits, such as ESPN's Brian Windhorst, is that Harden and his camp are only using the Rockets as leverage to get a max contract from the Sixers. This especially might be the case given the Sixers' reported reluctance to give Harden a max contract, which begins at $46.9 million next season based off the current salary cap projection.

“The Sixers haven't shown an appetite to pay Harden the max. That's why they asked him to take a pay cut last year. […] They're not really motivated to pay him a max salary if they don't think anybody else is going to do it,” Windhorst said in an appearance on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption.

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

Windhorst then wondered whether the Rockets-James Harden rumor is merely being used as a smokescreen, especially when going back to the Sixers remains the most rational outcome given where Harden is in his career.

“The Rockets have the cap space. Do they do it? There's been a very hard rumor out there in the NBA about Harden's intent to go back to Houston. It makes you wonder if it's being sold too hard. It's certainly something that people are considering,” Windhorst added.

Only time will tell what happens with the Sixers' James Harden free agency saga. One thing's for sure: the Sixers will have difficulties replacing one of the best guards in the NBA given their current cap situation should he decide to spurn them in free agency.