Nikola Jokic has never been an NBA all-star, but that must change this year

This month, James Harden was reportedly “torn” on whether he will sign the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets. There has been a growing momentum in recent days that Harden is now more likely to re-sign with the Sixers.

“The breaks have now been pumped, like slammed on, around the league to the point that I bet if you poll 50 front office executives, the majority of them would guess he’s going back to Philly,” said Zach Lowe on his podcast. “I don’t know what the hell is going to happen. We’ll see.”

Lowe also said that Philadelphia’s decision to part ways with Doc Rivers as head coach was the starting point in Harden appearing to reconsider remaining with the team. When the Sixers were eliminated in Games 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, there was a report that Harden’s future was closely tied to the team’s decision on Rivers.

The Rockets entered the offseason confident of their chances of signing Harden where they expected it.