Nick Nurse Would 'Be Very Happy' If James Harden Returned to 76ers in NBA Free Agency

New Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse is hopeful superstar guard James Harden will return to the Sixers next season rather than sign elsewhere in free agency.

According to Rich Hofmann of The Athletic, Nurse commented on Harden's situation Thursday, saying: "James has a decision to make and I'd be very happy if he came back."

Per Hofmann, Nurse added he has already spoken to Harden and expects to have one-on-one conversations with Harden and other Sixers players soon.

Harden signed a two-year, $68.6 million contract to remain with the 76ers last offseason, but he has a player option for 2023-24, meaning he can become a free agent this offseason if he declines it.

While re-signing with the Sixers is a possibility even if he opts out, there has been a great deal of momentum behind the idea of Harden returning to the Houston Rockets.

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported last month that anonymous NBA executives expect Harden to sign with Houston in free agency.

After beginning his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden was traded to the Rockets in 2012, and he enjoyed his greatest success in Houston.

In parts of nine seasons with the Rockets, Harden was a nine-time All-Star, three-time scoring champion and one-time NBA MVP.

Harden averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists and 6.0 rebounds in his 621 regular-season games with the Rockets.

Houston traded Harden to the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-21 season, and he was then dealt from Brooklyn to Philly last season as part of a trade involving Ben Simmons going to the Nets.

This season, Harden was not named an All-Star for the first time since the 2011-12 season, but he still put up solid numbers, leading the NBA with 10.7 assists per game, and also averaging 21.0 points and 6.1 rebounds.

Despite a full season of Harden alongside NBA MVP Joel Embiid, as well as Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris, the Sixers once again failed to get past the second round of the playoffs.

Philly has made six consecutive playoff appearances, but all of them have ended in the second round or earlier.

In an effort to shake things up, the Sixers fired Doc Rivers and hired Nurse as his replacement, but it can be argued that the roster would benefit from some changes as well.

Losing Harden would be a significant change; however, the 76ers likely don't have the salary-cap space or trade assets needed to find a suitable replacement.

As a result, the 76ers will almost certainly be down a star next season if Harden makes the decision to sign somewhere else.