Report: Harden torn between re-signing with 76ers, Rockets reunion

Free agent James Harden is torn between signing with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Houston Rockets, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on FanDuel TV's "Run It Back."

The 33-year-old has spent time with both franchises, playing two seasons with the 76ers and nine with the Rockets.

Harden reportedly plans to decline his $35.6-million player option to pursue a long-term contract as a free agent.

The veteran guard averaged 21 points, a league-leading 10.7 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 58 games this season.

Philadelphia acquired the former MVP last campaign, trading Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets. Harden and the Sixers were eliminated in the second round in back-to-back playoff runs. The organization hired Nick Nurse as head coach at the end of May.

Prior to playing with Brooklyn, Harden spent the majority of his career with the Rockets, leading Houston to the conference finals in 2015 and 2018. The 10-time All-Star has the most assists in Rockets franchise history with 4,796 and the most 3-point field goals with 2,029.

Houston currently has $48 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. The Rockets swapped out Stephen Silas for Ime Udoka as head coach and were awarded the fourth overall pick in the draft.

Free agency opens on June 30.