What is a likely cause of binding in the rear wheels?

When considering the potential causes of binding in the rear wheels, having the hand brake on is a likely explanation. The hand brake, or parking brake, is designed to secure the vehicle when parked by clamping down on the rear brake components. If the hand brake is inadvertently engaged or not fully released, it can create friction that prevents the rear wheels from rotating freely. This can lead to a sensation of binding when the vehicle is in motion, as the brakes are essentially still applied to the wheels even when the driver intends for them to roll freely.

The other options may involve issues related to wheel performance or braking systems, but they do not specifically account for the immediate mechanical binding effect observed when the vehicle is attempted to be moved with the hand brake engaged. Hence, the situation directly points to the hand brake being a probable cause of the binding in the rear wheels.