76ers face uncertain future with Harden, Harris deals up in the air

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden might haveside-eyedquestionsthis week -- much like he did in aplayful reaction in his Houston days -- about his future with thePhiladelphia 76ers.

But the issue is real in Philly: Will Harden return to the 76ersfor a third season?

All signs point to Harden declining his $35.6 million option onThursday and entering this summer as an unrestricted free agent.That leaves the 2018 NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star free to sign withany team.

A return to the Rockets? Perhaps, if he prioritizes cash over achampionship chase. The 76ers? Depends. Does Harden really enjoyplaying as the second option to NBA MVP Joel Embiid?

Plan C?

Harden might not have planned much beyond a potential Houstonreunion or Sixers return. Philadelphia has the home-contract edge:The 76ers have the right to offer Harden a$210 million, four-yeardeal, $8 million more overall than any other team.

Houston, though, where Harden blossomed into a surefire Hall ofFamer is a city that still tugs at his heart.

Nick Nurse, hired earlier this month toreplace DocRiversas coach of the 76ers, wants a shotatcoaching Harden.

“James has a decision to make, and I’d be very happy if he cameback,” Nurse said when he was hired.

Tobias Harris, himself in a bit of a contract quandary thissummer, also stumped for a Harden return as he grabbed rebounds andposed for selfies with children Tuesday at a Fanaticspromotion.

“There’s not many guys that can go out and drop 40 in a playoffgame. I think that goes under the radar a little bit too much,”Harris said. “I think James is a phenomenal player, somebody whoworks his tail off, and somebody’s who’s an overall great leader.Of course I want him back.”

Harden, who turns 34 in August, played the last few months withnagging left Achilles soreness and flashed only glimpses of hisHouston prime. He scored 45 points in Game 1 and 42 in Game 4victories of the Eastern Conference semifinal loss against Boston,and was 0 for 6 on 3s in Game 2 and Game 6 losses. He scored onlynine points in Game 7, and that included going scoreless in thesecond half.

Stuck in the muck of salary cap restrictions, the 76ers have fewreal options to replace Harden should he sign elsewhere. Not onlythat, the Sixers are fielding trade offers for Harris, who entersthe final season of a $180-million, five-year contract. Harrisaveraged 14.7 points last season, well behind NBA scoring champEmbiid, Harden and Tyrese Maxey.

Torrel Harris, Tobias Harris’ father and agent, blasted the waythe 76ers have used Harris since 2018 and said on the “Business ofSports” podcast his son was an “assassin scorer.”

“I mean, they can’t stop him,” Torrel Harris said on thepodcast. “Nobody in the league can stop him. So he’s proven thatover his career, even when he was with the Clippers.”

Tobias Harris, himself in a bit of a contract quandary thissummer, also stumped for a Harden return as he grabbed rebounds andposed for selfies with children Tuesday at a Fanaticspromotion.

“There’s not many guys that can go out and drop 40 in a playoffgame. I think that goes under the radar a little bit too much,”Harris said. “I think James is a phenomenal player, somebody whoworks his tail off, and somebody’s who’s an overall great leader.Of course I want him back.”

Harden, who turns 34 in August, played the last few months withnagging left Achilles soreness and flashed only glimpses of hisHouston prime. He scored 45 points in Game 1 and 42 in Game 4victories of the Eastern Conference semifinal loss against Boston,and was 0 for 6 on 3s in Game 2 and Game 6 losses. He scored onlynine points in Game 7, and that included going scoreless in thesecond half.

Stuck in the muck of salary cap restrictions, the 76ers have fewreal options to replace Harden should he sign elsewhere. Not onlythat, the Sixers are fielding trade offers for Harris, who entersthe final season of a $180-million, five-year contract. Harrisaveraged 14.7 points last season, well behind NBA scoring champEmbiid, Harden and Tyrese Maxey.

Torrel Harris, Tobias Harris’ father and agent, blasted the waythe 76ers have used Harris since 2018 and said on the “Business ofSports” podcast his son was an “assassin scorer.”

“I mean, they can’t stop him,” Torrel Harris said on thepodcast. “Nobody in the league can stop him. So he’s proven thatover his career, even when he was with the Clippers.”

It’s up to Nurse, who won a championship with Toronto in 2019,to find a formula that can win the 76ers a championship.

With or without Harden and Harris.

“I believe we have the right talent to be a championship team,”Harris said. “We have the right pieces and the right culture. Witha new coach, I’m excited with what we can bring to the table.”

Harris and Embiid -- who declined to talk about the Fanatics’goodwill merchandise promotion for underserved kids -- helped withthe giveaway of 300,000 pieces of merch donated to around 100,000kids and their families in nearly 100 different locations acrossthe country.

Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics, also co-founded the ReformAlliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to probation, paroleand sentencing reform in the United State. He once had an ownershipstake in the 76ers, is a friend with Harden and tried not to pick aside on the contract issue.

So, should a 76ers fan buy in good faith a Harden 76ersjersey?

“I’d always tell them to buy a 76ers Harden jersey,” he said.“Look, I haven’t been close to the situation. Both the Sixers andJames are family to me. But listen, I believe in these guys.”