NBA Rumors: James Harden expresses interest in playing in China

James Harden recently spent time in China selling shoes, wine, and a vision for the future — a future that doesn't involve him playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.

At one event, Harden called Sixers president Daryl Morey "a liar" and vowed never to play for him again. Harden and Morey forged a close relationship during their shared time with the Houston Rockets, but it would appear the Sixers' reticent offseason maneuvering upset Harden. With no long-term contract offers on the table, Harden opted into the final year of his current deal and demanded a trade. The Sixers recently shut down trade talks, which led to reports that Harden has "no plans" to report to training camp.

Long story short, things are about to get very uncomfortable in Philadelphia in the weeks to come. Daryl Morey and the Sixers have the opportunity to carve out a large chunk of cap space next summer, but wasting a year of Joel Embiid's prime is a risky bet. One has to imagine the Sixers will eventually trade Harden, but don't expect more than spare parts in return for the disgruntled 33-year-old with a long history of trade requests.

As Harden continues to seek leverage and a way out of Philadelphia, he recently unfurled a new page in his trade request playbook. Harden expressed interest in playing a season in China, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"Every time I come here, the love is just like… it's crazy, you know what I mean," Harden said. "So I feel like they deserve to actually see me come play here."

Harden probably won't spend next season in China's CBA, but he wouldn't be the first NBA star to make his way there. Stephon Marbury is the most famous for NBAer to play in China, but Harden would be a new high-water mark for the league. He certainly has a profitable business relationship with the country, so one can't rule out the future possibility. The timing of this statement, however, is not coincidental.

NBA Rumors: Rockets could get between Knicks and Joel Embiid

With the Harden drama reaching a fevered pitch, Joel Embiid's future with the Sixers has never been on shakier ground. While he remains committed to the franchise at the moment, another sideways season with a roster unprepared to contend could sour the 29-year-old on the team that drafted him.

Embiid has weathered innumerable storms with the Sixers, but a man can only take so much. If he does demand a trade, the New York Knicks are expected to be in hot pursuit. New York has patiently saved up draft capital and trade chips in hopes of landing the right star. The reigning MVP could take the Knicks from plucky underdog to legitimate title contender.

Knicks GM Leon Rose used to represent Embiid as a player agent, so there's a built-in relationship between Embiid and management. Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart all have Philly ties through Villanova. It's a natural fit if Embiid does indeed force his way to a new team.

That said, it's time to pump the breaks a bit on Embiid to New York speculation. Other teams would certainly get in the mix for a perennial MVP candidate and Daryl Morey will always prioritize the best return possible. Kelly Iko of The Athletic pegged the Houston Rockets as a potential threat to New York in the Embiid race. Why? Embiid's relationship with Ime Udoka, the Rockets' new head coach who used to work the Sixers' bench under Brett Brown.

Houston has made a very aggressive pivot toward contention with the signings of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. The Rockets still have a wealth of picks to move after the initial Harden trade, plus several high-value young players who could pique the Sixers' interest in advance of a rebuild. Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson are all more valuable than any young player the Knicks can throw in Philly's direction.

NBA Rumors: 76ers could steal LeBron James in free agency

LeBron James loudly pondered retirement over the summer before committing to his 21st NBA season. James will make $47.6 million in the 2023-24 season and he has a $51.4 player option for the 2024-25 season. Naturally, there has been speculation about this being James' final season with the Lakers. He could retire or, as Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer posits, he could leave for another team.

"If its the big fish I think [Daryl] Morey's target next summer will be LeBron James," he told Chris Vernon on 'The Mismatch' podcast. "It just makes sense logically, right? Who else would it be?"

The Sixers can clear upwards of $60 million in cap space next summer once the contracts for James Harden and Tobias Harris come off the books. Morey is a notorious star-hunter who has every intention of maximizing Embiid's title window, so long as the MVP center remains committed to Philadelphia. How he goes about it may draw the ire of Philly's fanbase, but LeBron James would certainly be a nice consolation prize after the James Harden ordeal plays out.

How can the Sixers convince James to leave Los Angeles? Well, it probably starts with Bronny James. The USC guard is a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. A recent cardiac arrest has led to questions about Bronny's basketball future and there are clearly much bigger concerns than basketball in the James family at the moment, but if he's cleared to play, NBA teams will still take interest in LeBron's oldest son. Meanwhile, James has long expressed a desire to play with his son in the NBA.

If the Sixers were to select Bronny and offer James a full max contract, it could be hard for the future Hall of Famer to pass up. The Sixers were notably James' No. 2 choice during his last free agent period before he joined the Lakers. He was never going anywhere other than LA, of course, but James at least took a meeting with Philly in a show of good faith. There has been some level of interest in the past.

Even if the Sixers don't land Bronny, there's a nonzero chance the Lakers' season goes so far south that James considers a retirement tour with a different franchise. It would certainly boost his legacy to bring a ring to Philadelphia, even if he's more of a sidekick to Joel Embiid than a primary star.

James will be approaching his 40th birthday by the time Philadelphia has the opportunity to sign him, but if any player is worth it at that age, it's him.