What should Sixers do about James Harden? Philadelphia enters critical offseason

There will be lots of discussion about James Harden.

Washed. Deteriorating skills.

No longer a Batman. Maybe not even a Robin.

I’m not ready to go there yet.

But this is a critical offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard and the franchise — an intricate scenario that involves Harden’s health, his future, his relationships with key figures in the Sixers organization and his ability to coexist with MVP-caliber center Joel Embiid.

The Miami Heat on Thursday eliminated the Sixers 99-90, ending Philadelphia’s season well short of its stated goal: an NBA championship. It is the fifth consecutive season making the playoffs — and second with coach Doc Rivers — that the Sixers failed to reach at least the conference finals.

The Sixers have reasons/excuses for their demise: the Ben Simmons situation that commandeered the first two-thirds of the season, Harden playing OK but definitely not great (more on that topic in a minute), and Embiid’s injuries that slowed him in the playoffs.

OUSTED: Heat close out listless Sixers in Game 6 to reach East finals

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The Sixers went for it at the trade deadline, acquiring Harden and Paul Millsap from Brooklyn in the deal that sent Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks to the Nets. Philadelphia wanted Harden to be the player it needed to compete for a title and came up short.

Harden, 32, wasn’t that player, at least not frequently enough in the playoffs. In Game 6, he had an inconsequential 11 points, including none in the second half. He attempted just two shots in the second half. That’s not enough scoring with a healthy Embiid and definitely not enough with an injured Embiid. Harden’s reputation is taking a beating.

Before joining the Sixers, Harden was bothered by a hamstring issue and did not play in his final four games with the Nets. After the trade, he missed his first four games with Philadelphia and sat out the All-Star…