NBA Trade Rumors: Harden Debunks Reports Suggesting Return To Rockets In Offseason

James Harden appears to be fitting in nicely with the Philadelphia 76ers as he continues to do his part in partnering with Joel Embiid.

He took over from the Cameroon All-Star against the New York Knicks, dropping a game-high 29 points to go with 13 rebounds. The Sixers won 119-112, their eight-straight win and currently tote a 20-12 win-loss record in the Eastern Conference.

Given the success that the Sixers are enjoying, it may be hard to believe that the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player would want to jump ship.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN made the claim, alleging that the 33-year-old is considering a return to the Houston Rockets, an option in the event he opts for a new deal in the offseason.

"Harden and his inner circle have been openly weighing Houston in recent months, sources said, a remarkable possibility given that he requested and received a trade out of the franchise less than two years ago," the sports scribe claimed.

Upon hearing about it, the ten-time All-Star responded by saying he has no idea where that report came from and that he was happy being with the 76ers.

"I'm here," he told reporters via Sixers Wire. "We're playing very well and I don't know where that report came from, but I'm excited to be here and we're playing very well. We're continuing to get better."

The only plausible explanation at this point is money. Harden did sacrifice so that Philadelphia could get more financial flexibility and sign key players such as P.J. Tucker and Danuel House. As things stand right now, that move appears to be paying off.

As far as returning to the Rockets, it does not add up. Houston is rebuilding around young players like Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. At 33, adding Harden may not make sense to the youth movement that the Rockets appear to be driving at.