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AP: c506aef5-fbd1-438c-8050-371757f6c725
USA's James Harden slams a dunk against Nigeria during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Phoenix Suns fans were encouraged during the early stages of the Summer Olympics when former Arizona State and current Oklahoma City Thunder star James Harden told a Valley writer that he'd be open to signing with the Suns after his contract runs out.

But in an interview with Slam Magazine, Harden now says he's "pretty sure" that he'll re-sign with Oklahoma City.

"I'm pretty, a hundred percent, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be in Oklahoma City,' Harden said during the interview. "I'll let my agent and Mr. Presti and [Thunder owner Clay] Bennett discuss all that, so I'll let them handle that and stay out of it for right now and worry about the USA Olympics."

Harden is one of four Thunder players currently playing in the Olympics in London and is averaging 6.4 points per game for undefeated Team USA.

He is the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
11 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Jdanielson wrote...
    Say what you need to say...
    August 7, 2012 1:34 pm
    ...but come on back to Phoenix!
  • Abuse
    CEG10 wrote...
    Too Soon
    August 7, 2012 2:14 pm
    It's too soon for him to start making waves about where he is going to sign. Posturing!
  • Abuse
    PRH wrote...
    Of course.
    August 7, 2012 3:13 pm
    Of course Harden isn't signing here. I'd love to see a fellow Devil play for the Suns, but who in their right mind would want to go from playing with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the NBA Finals, to playing with Marcin Gortat and Wesley Johnson and being on the playoff bubble? Now if Nash and Stat were still here, maybe things would be different. But they aren't. And who in their right mind would want to play for Robert Sarver instead of Clayton Bennett. The Suns created this mess, now they are reaping the results.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Way too early
    August 7, 2012 3:19 pm
    I get what Harden is saying, but a lot can change by this time next year. Maybe Harden wants to stay in OKC, but OKC will need to meet his price, and they still have Ibaka to think about re-signing to a long term deal. If the Suns present a package that is enticing enough, I think they have a chance to get Harden in a sign and trade.Maybe I am just in denial.
  • Abuse
    azgbayfan wrote...
    Not so Fast!
    August 7, 2012 4:04 pm
    I think it would be great if Harden did come to Phx. but if he does get out of Memphis there will be a big demand for his services. Money talks and BS walks. I am not certain he would just pick Phx. There is a lot involved in his decision.
  • Abuse
    tutimes wrote...
    OKC will keep Ibaka
    August 7, 2012 4:19 pm
    They're going to evaluate their needs, and right now, they need bigs. If they lose Ibaka, they will have hardly any inside presence. Ibaka is a solid starting center, and is still getting better. It wouldn't be wise to sign someone to the max when they're coming off the bench, and let the guy you really need walk away.
  • Abuse
    tutimes wrote...
    Money talks
    August 7, 2012 4:21 pm
    Harden is going to want a max deal, and Phoenix can offer him that, plus his own team. If OKC doesn't lock him down, he'll be wearing purple and orange in 2013.
  • Abuse
    RemyG wrote...
    Dream On Suns Fans
    August 7, 2012 9:14 pm
    This would most likely not happen, but if you want to put odds on anything it is 100% that OKC will offer him as much as they can without putting too much pressure on the cap threshold. Still have to consider them signing Ibaka as well. As for the Suns... Get ready for some bad basketball for years to come.
  • Abuse
    the cooker wrote...
    azgbayfan
    August 8, 2012 1:25 am
    Sorry my friend but Harden has never played for Memphis. He plays for OKC
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    @remyg
    August 8, 2012 8:45 am
    I think you contradicted your own point. Yes, they will offer his as much as they can without blowing their cap. The problem is that wont be much. Say Ibaka and Harden both got 12 million for the 13-14 season. That would tie up about 55 million between 4 players. That number would get bigger by about 5 mil each season as the contracts grow to their full amount. This year the salary cap is only 58mil. Their depth (which is much more important than keeping both harden and ibaka in my opinion) would be completely shot and limited to min contracts for years.
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