NBA Rumors: 4 teams that should overpay for James Harden this offseason

NBA Rumors: If James Harden hits free agency, he’ll be a hot commodity. Which teams should be the most interested? 

A somewhat surprising development, one of the biggest names to keep an eye on heading into the offseason is James Harden. He has recently been the subject of free agency rumors and has been linked to other teams already, opening the possibility of him leaving the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency this offseason.

The Sixers may still be in the thick of what they hope to be a deep playoff run, but that doesn’t close the door to speculating on what could be awaiting this franchise during the offseason. And at the center of it all is Harden.

Harden could opt out of the final year of his contract with the Sixers and test free agency this offseason. If so, there could be an interesting market for his services. The question is, which teams should be willing to overpay for a star in the twilight of his career?

Philadelphia 76ers*

Let’s be honest for a moment here to preface all of this. If the Philadelphia 76ers make a run to the NBA Finals or even the Eastern Conference Finals, I don’t believe that Harden would willingly leave. It wouldn’t make much sense. If the Sixers take a tangible step forward, the next move for the team heading into the offseason is probably adding another piece or two and running it back for the most part.

And, in that case, the Sixers would almost have to pay Harden whatever he wants to keep the core together.

However, if the team doesn’t make a deep playoff run and, say, they lose in the second round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics, which is a very realistic possibility, there’s a very real chance that Harden could end up leaving in free agency.