The possibility that Sixers guard James Harden might return to Houston in free agency this summer remains as strong as ever, writes Kelly Iko of The Athletic. League sources expect the Rockets, who will have ample cap space, to aggressively pursue Harden once he turns down his $35.64MM player option. Sources close to Harden confirm to Iko that he’s considering the move.
Harden forced his way out of Houston two years ago after the loss of coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey. His relationship with the organization appeared confrontational — he reported late and out of shape to training camp and having numerous clashes with coaches and teammates — but sources tell Iko that it never became acrimonious. Harden was disappointed that the Rockets were no longer contenders, and management was unhappy with how he handled the situation.
Harden still has a good relationship with team owner Tilman Fertitta and has maintained strong ties in the Houston area, Iko adds. Also, former Sixers minority owner Michael Rubin, a good friend of Harden’s who played a role in his desire to come to Philadelphia, sold his stake in the team last June.
Money will be an important factor in Harden’s decision, Iko notes, which gives the Sixers an advantage. Holding his Bird rights, they can offer up to a projected $272MM over five years, while Houston and any other potential suitor will be limited to four years at about $202MM. Iko states that if he stays in Philadelphia, Harden will expect to be compensated for taking a deal below his market value last summer to help the team sign several free agents.
There’s more from Houston:
- After returning Tuesday from a groin injury, Jalen Green is thankful that the damage wasn’t worse, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. The injury sidelined the second-year guard for two weeks and forced him to miss the Rising Stars event at All-Star Weekend. “I actually called Coach the other day and was just telling him, ‘The last 24 games, I’m with you,’” Green said. “’I’m ready to lock in. Whatever we’ve got to do, we’ve got to string together some wins.’”
- Coach Stephen Silas is optimistic that Kevin Porter Jr., Green’s backcourt partner, will be able to return Wednesday night, Feigen tweets. Porter has been out of action since January 11 with a foot contusion.
- Today is the last day that players can agree to a buyout and still be eligible for the postseason with their new team, which makes it significant for Frank Kaminsky, notes Ben DuBose of RocketsWire. Of the four veteran players the Rockets acquired at the trade deadline, Kaminsky is the only one left on the roster — John Wall, Danny Green, and Justin Holiday were all released.
While the rockets rebuild isn’t exactly going great, bringing back Harden would be a huge mistake. Sure he put up great numbers while he was in Houston, he also did a lot of damage. He forced the rockets to trade Chris Paul and 4 picks for Westbrook. There’s a really good article out there where Westbrook describes his time with harden in Houston. Summing it up, pretty much it was the Harden Rockets, they practiced only when he wanted to, everything went his way. Say no to Harden. He’s a good player but not on one of the worst teams in the NBA
He forced them to do something. Ultimately it’s the team and GM that make the decision. The only real decision Harden made was to quit on the team. They tried CP3 and it didn’t work, they had to pivot and Westbrook was a viable option. Didn’t work.
Plenty of teams make big moves that dont work out though to try and maximize their best player. Rudy Gobert and Vucevic are examples.
Harden did some damage on the way out, but it was the Houston GM that did the most damage, he would have gotten a better overall package had he taken the Sixers trade.
@ZA, the better package was with less picks and taking back Ben Simmons on a max deal? With all the disfunction with the Nets, its seems Stone made the best deal. You can talk about taking Oladipo over Jarret Allen or LeVert being a mistake, but taking Simmons would have handicapped this franchise even more.
@ZA I hate to be barrier of bad news here. But with CP3 not working out, that was all on Harden. Those two had a fall out because of Hardens laziness on defense against the Warriors in the West Finals. CP3 was so furious with Harden in Game 2 and due to Harden, I feel CP3 pulled the injury card over that dispute with Harden. I know, it’s an accusation but felt it was odd CP3 went down a few games after the dispute. When he went down, Rockets lost that series. Rockets simply had that series in the bag and was up 3-1 going into game 5 (CP3 injury and DNP rest of the series). CP3 was the most important player in that year. Without him, we wouldn’t have made it that far. Harden is selfish and I hope he doesn’t return to the Rockets. He made his bed, he can lay in it. Just not in Houston.
Google the article I’m talking about. Harden told them hey trade Chris Paul for Westbrook or I want out. He forced their hand and it was an awful trade for the rockets.
Bring him back for his strong, mature leadership. Teach those youngins what playing in the NBA is all about. Give him max to be player-coach and GM!
James Harden has no intention of signing with Houston, or anyone other than Philadelphia. This is just chatter from Harden camp to clean up the tampering stuff. Harden and his boy Darryl Morey already have a deal in place. This is why Harden took less money. Getting it back and then some with new deal. The Rockets talk is just to clean up the tampering stuff.
76ers would be crazy to commit that kind of money to Harden. He isn’t washed up now, but could be in 2 years. Sign and trade and get some young blood. Maxey is ready for prime time.
Agreed, sign and trade would work best if it was somewhere other than Houston, not sure how the salary matching would work on a potential Houston sign and trade.
They should just buy out Kaminsky or waive him. No point in keeping him.
No to Harden. Once was enough.
Game 6 rockets spurs said all you need to know about Harden. Very talented player. No thank you.