LONDON - A flicker of hope for Valley basketball fans:

Former Arizona State star James Harden would consider signing with the Suns if his contract expires after next season.

"Yeah," he said. "Of course. I love it there. My mom lives there still. So that's definitely my second home as far as my comfort level and going to school there. But obviously, I'm with the Thunder right now and what we have is special."

Harden and his beard enjoyed breakout seasons in 2011-12, helping Oklahoma City reach the NBA Finals. The Thunder already secured stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to long-term deals, and by 2015, those two players alone will command $35million.

This off-season, the team has a window of opportunity to extend Harden and Serge Ibaka, but league salary-cap restrictions and harsh luxury-tax penalties will make it difficult to sign both. At the least, it would require great sacrifice from the players involved.

If no deal is reached, Harden would become a restricted free agent after next season. A team such as the Suns could then make it hard on Oklahoma City by signing him to a lucrative offer sheet.

"That's out of my hands," Harden said. "That's not my decision. That's the front office. I'll let them decide that."

For now, Harden sounds committed to the Thunder. He's a West Coast kid but has grown to appreciate Oklahoma City, where buildings were adorned with mock beards during the playoffs.

Harden is only strengthening that bond by participating in the 2012 Olympics with Durant and Westbrook.

"The kind of support we have in Oklahoma City, it's the best in the NBA," Harden said. "Phenomenal. Beards in the crowd, the whole nine (yards). The city is really something special."

But things can change. Remember how united the rising Suns were in 2004-05, and how quickly it all fell apart over contractual issues? Traditionally, ascending stars such as Harden aren't content to play third fiddle, especially at a discounted rate.

Even Durant, who has been adamant that Harden would remain in Oklahoma City, said his viewpoint was based more hope than fact.

"I'm not negative; I'm not going to think the worst," Durant said. "That's just me. That may not be the case, and I may be wrong. As of now, I think he's going to be here, and we're going to make a concerted effort to keep him here. But that's just me being me. We'll see what happens."

So keep the fingers crossed. On Thursday night in the Olympic Village, Harden reunited with a pair of Sun Devils, taking a picture with the Ike Diogu and Eric Boateng. And with a few good breaks, the beard could be coming home to play for the professional team in town.

Reach Bickley at dan.bickley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8253. Follow him at twitter.com/danbickley. Listen to "Bickley and MJ" weekdays at 2-6 p.m. on XTRA Sports 910.