NBA insider says James Harden to Houston is ‘foregone conclusion’
By Jakob Ashlin
According to an NBA insider, James Harden heading to the Houston Rockets in free agency this summer is already a ‘foregone conclusion’.
In December, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that James Harden is “seriously considering” returning to the Houston Rockets this offseason.
"“All-Star guard James Harden is seriously considering a return to the Houston Rockets in free agency this July — if he decides against a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told ESPN.Harden and his inner circle have been openly weighing Houston in recent months, sources said, a remarkable possibility given that he requested and received a trade out of the franchise less than two years ago.”"
At the time, the news was shocking. Harden was just granted his trade request from Houston in 2021. Furthermore, the Rockets are having an abysmal season. They sit in last place in the Western Conference at 15-49. Why would the 33-year-old Harden want to sign with a rebuilding team?
Over the last few months, the rumors have only heated up. According to Bill Simmons, Harden to the Rockets is a “foregone conclusion” in league circles. On March 6, he said the following on his podcast:
"Now it seems like a foregone conclusion, if you talk to anyone around the league, they’ll be like, yeah, Harden’s going back to Houston."
James Harden and the Rockets have mutual interest
From a basketball perspective, Harden’s interest is surprising, but personally, it makes a lot of sense. Harden has spent the last two years on contending teams (Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers), but he was clearly happiest in Houston. Harden spent nine years with the franchise, and he has been vocal about his love for the city. In a 2022 interview, he told Laura Schreffler of Haute Time that he still considers Houston ‘home’.
The interest is not one-sided, either. On March 1, The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Kelly Iko reported that the Rockets are expected to pursue Harden.
"Houston is widely expected to pursue the 13-year veteran point guard if, as is expected, he declines his player option for the 2023-24 season."
Despite their struggles this season, the Rockets could attempt to make a playoff run next season. The Oklahoma City Thunder own their 2024 first-round pick, so the Rockets will have no incentive to tank. In addition, they will be armed with a league-high $61.7 million in cap space this summer. It is conceivable that they could acquire Harden, Victor Wembanyama, and another veteran free agent over the next few months.
Harden is having an underrated season for the Sixers. He is averaging 21.9 points and 10.8 assists while shooting a career-high 40.1 percent from three. He would immediately boost the Rockets’ playoff odds next season.
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