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James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers remain in limbo as no team appears prepared to pay anything close to Daryl Morey’s current asking price. The Sixers are believed to be asking for a lot for Harden because they feel comfortable with the idea of him returning to the team next season.

“His asking price is exorbitant,” said Adrian Wojnarowski of Morey. “Teams are not engaging the Sixers with the kind of asks that Daryl Morey is asking for James Harden. That’s where Daryl Morey always starts in trade talks, really high. Over time, perhaps, you work him back down.

“But like Ben Simmons, there’s hope on the Sixers’ side that eventually, at some point, they can get James Harden on board about being in Philadelphia in the last year of this deal. This opt-in that he did at $35.6 million. Now they may get to training camp and it may look different in Philly. They may have a James Harden who is not as enthusiastic about his return as they are. And then maybe they get more serious about it.

“But right now, I think the Harden talks, like Lillard, are going to linger into the summer.”

The Los Angeles Clippers and Harden are believed to have mutual interest.

LeBron James has yet to confirm whether he will return to play next season, but all signs point to him continuing his career and doing so with the Los Angeles Lakers. Last offseason, James declined his option to become a free agent where he re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million contract that also contained a no-trade clause. The current expectation is for James to pick up his option for $52.6 million in 25-26.

“I’m told he’s likely to opt-in,” “That’s likely. That’s the plan. His option day is June 29th. There’s going to be some hard conversations between him and the Lakers. LeBron James, whether he plays one more season or a few more seasons, he wants to be in a competitive environment.”

James and the Lakers could sign an extension off his current contract as opposed to being a free agent. The Lakers also hope to acquire a center this offseason and then will present Luka Doncic an extension offer in August.

James, who is represented by Rich Paul, averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists at the age of 40 for the Lakers. James was also an All-NBA Second Team selection.