NBA Rumors: James Harden Surprisingly Linked To A 3rd, Big-Name Team

We've all heard the rumors: James Harden is "torn" between either re-signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, or taking a boat-load of cash to return to his beloved Houston Rockets, where he was a 9-time All-Star. But wait just a minute...

According to NBA Insider Ramona Shelburne, a splashy new rumor has another team now in the mix, and a hopeful championship contender, at that.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne says ‘keep your eye’ on James Harden to Phoenix 👀

“The Phoenix Suns don’t waive Chris Paul] unless they feel pretty good about somebody else. And I want you to keep your eye on James Harden. I don’t want to report anything, but that was in the wind for… pic.twitter.com/U840X6417b
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 8, 2023

Shelburne tells us that with the Chris Paul machinations going on in Phoenix (plans to possibly waive him), the Suns are a definite potential destination for The Beard.

“The Phoenix Suns don’t waive Chris [Paul] unless they feel pretty good about somebody else. And I want you to keep your eye on James Harden. I don’t want to report anything, but that was in the wind for the past month or so.”

Harden, of course, would slide right into the lead guard slot in Phoenix to replace Paul if the Suns do indeed move on from him and his $30.8M contract.

But one other caveat that Shelburne didn't mention is that the Suns' Kevin Durant was apparently not too pleased with the way Harden forced his way out of Brooklyn when the two were with the Nets last season. KD's squad was left holding the bag with Ben Simmons after that trade, and we all know how that all worked out (i.e. not very well at all).

Durant, in fact, was "astonished" at Harden's poor condition and sluggish play while in Brooklyn.

'Discontent' between Kevin Durant and James Harden began when Harden showed up to training camp out of shape, per @kevinarnovitz

Durant was 'astonished' by his 'lack of explosiveness and sluggish play' pic.twitter.com/FwZ79buYgr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2022