By Mike Grimm
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that early talks with new Sixers head coach Nick Nurse may have impressed James Harden enough for him to stay in Philly and not bolt to Houston..
“The idea that James Harden will re-sign with Philadelphia in free agency rather than return to Houston for a second stint with the Rockets has gained momentum over the past week or two,” Stein wrote.
“Among the whispered reasons for the change in forecast: Word is Harden came away from his introductory meeting with new Sixers coach Nick Nurse intrigued by Nurse’s vision.”
Nurse coached the Toronto Raptors from 2018-2023, leading the team to the 2019 NBA Championship. He has a 227-163 record as a head coach.
Harden is expected to opt-out of his $35.6 million player option for 2023-24, but has not publicly stated anything about not returning to the 76ers. He averaged 21 points, 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 58 games for Philadelphia in the regular season, and averaged 20.3 points, 8.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 11 playoff games.
