Doc Rivers says James Harden will sign a "huge deal" with the 76ers ... telling TMZ Sports he enjoys coaching the star guard and loves having him on the team.
We caught up with the Philadelphia head coach as he was leaving E Baldi in Bev Hills this week ... and he told us he's sure Harden, who the 76ers acquired this past season, has a massive new contract coming his way.
"Huge deal," Rivers said.
Doc added that he's "excited" about coaching JH, explaining, "I love him."
The Miami Heat bounced the Sixers from the NBA playoffs this year in the second round -- a series in which Harden didn't play his best -- which left many to question if the org. should give the 32-year-old a new, lucrative deal.
Seems Doc, though, is convinced that's going to happen.
Harden, meanwhile, has until June 29 to opt into the final year of his contract -- which will pay him $47.4 million next season.
If that goes down, Harden will then be eligible to sign a 4-year, $233 million contract extension -- which is something his coach clearly thinks is a foregone conclusion.