The Rockets are expected to pursue a reunion with James Harden even if they win the draft lottery Tuesday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Monday morning on “Get Up” (video link).
The chance to add French big man Victor Wembanyama would be franchise-changing in Houston, but Wojnarowski implied that it won’t be enough to convince the Rockets to continue with their youth movement. After three years of losing — prompted by Harden’s forced trade early in the 2020/21 season — the organization is determined to turn things around quickly.
Houston could have more than $60MM to spend in free agency and may be willing to unload some of its young talent to field a more veteran-oriented squad next season. The hiring of Ime Udoka as head coach after Stephen Silas was dismissed in April is one step in that direction.
Harden’s return could be another part of that plan, and rumors of a potential reunion have been swirling since Wojnarowski first raised the possibility on Christmas Day. The former MVP still has strong ties to the Houston area, where he remains a popular figure, and he might enjoy the idea of being the No. 1 option again after playing a supporting role to Kevin Durant in Brooklyn and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia.
Wojnarowski admits that the Harden rumors could be part of a strategy to help him get the contract he wants from the Sixers, but his interest in the Rockets shouldn’t be dismissed.
“Houston may be his way to get him the kind of guaranteed money, long-term money he wants from Philly,” Wojnarowski said. “But I wouldn’t underestimate it as just a leverage play. I think he’s very serious about returning. And Philadelphia now, they have strong relationships in that organization from Daryl Morey, starting with him in their front office. It’s going to be a really interesting couple of months.”
The contract that Harden signed with Philadelphia last summer includes a $35.64MM player option for next season. He has until June 29 to make a decision, but he’s expected to decline the option and seek a long-term deal.
I still don’t understand why Houston wants Harden back. Can someone explain??
Im not sure… he is still a really good player but his timeline with HOU isn’t great. I don’t get it at all…
He is almost 34, he has maybe two more years of relatively high level production.
Anyone paying big money for him will regret it.
“Relatively high level production” nah, he’s a 3-4 piece at this point. He shouldnt even be viewed as elite, Jordan Poole clears him now.
“relatively high level production” obviously means he isn’t elite. That’s a description of 3rd or 4th option.
Did you type this to be funny? You must have. Jordan Poole doesn’t clear anyone in the NBA. He is quite possibly the most overrated player not just now but ever to suit up.
Not a Harden fan at all and I can’t understand why they would want to bring back a guy that gave up on them the way he did to force the trade to Brooklyn. However he still had 21/10/6 on 45%/38%/89% shooting. He ducks in the playoffs but adding him isn’t going to propel Houston into the playoffs anyway. But I don’t get it from the standpoint of possibly stunting Porter air and Green’s growth.
I don’t think they do. Harden camp is using them as leverage with Philly. Houston wants to add veteran players, but they are also willing to trade. Much better options can be had on the trade market for a team that has young, tradeable talent, cap space and draft picks. Very, very few teams can offer this. Why would you blow your wad on a past his prime James Harden???
IMO
Rockets are serious
Rockets fans wanted the Celtics to win
Rockets Youth is just not reliable on win column
Without Harden, GM Stone would never find a new GM job
Jalen Green would lead Rockets to win anything
I think it’s posturing from both Harden and Houston.
Harden is drumming up interest to get a bigger payday from Philly when he opts out. Houston are jumping on the smoke to keep the Harden homers excited while also stating their intent to try a pursue a high level player this off season. It’s Likely they go for someone, but I doubt it’ll be Harden. Whoever they try to make a splash with in a trade, I doubt they’ll succeed without losing good assets.
I think Houston wants him back both for two reasons. First, he’ll sell tickets. Whatever anyone thinks of Harden, he’s a name, and Houston fans are of course very familiar with him. That’s added revenue, and owners never hate added revenue.
Secondly, they have a ton of cap space. They have to spend some of it on someone. Harden doesn’t fit their timeline for contention, but his contract would be off the books by the time Wembanyana (assuming they win the lottery) gets paid. It’d kinda be like a placeholder cap hold, and maybe they prefer that to clogging up their cap and roster with 2-3 mid level guys?
@Appalachian(not easy to spell). I thought the same originally and it makes sense. Especially if they do win the lotto of all lottos they’ll still need a good PG in the FA or to trade for.
I see the only way Harden & Hou are reunited is if they win #1. If it’s 2-6 will be Scoot, Thompson or trade for a PG fitting the timeline and most likely making a Harden move redundant
But the issue is if someone does become available later on, a giant Harden contract is a lot harder to move than a few value mid level role players and assets or rook scale talent.
Too lazy and injury-prone for my money.
I think the playoffs have shown he’s no longer capable of being a #1 every night. More like 1/3. I’m not sure what that’s worth contract wise but we’ve seen how Chris Paul’s contract and body of work have worked out in phoenix
It’s debatable on wether Chris Paul’s contract worked out good or bad for Phoenix but his play on the court and presence in the locker room are what put a young team over the top. They haven’t won a title but he has helped make them a contender.
Um getting over the top implies winning. Not making the Finals once and then getting blown in elimination games each of the next two seasons in the 2nd round.
Him being #1 or #2 = zero rings.
Why not target players who actually know the feeling of being on a title-winning team?
Rockets need: Make playoffs.
Please do not mention championships
For GM
No playoffs, no job
Players like KD? Yeah, that worked real well
Is Houston a glutton for punishment? Why would you consider a player that forced you to trade him away earlier?
To be fair, Houston made out pretty well from the Harden trade (at least on paper)
Still makes zero sense to add him to this current mix in Houston. How does a ringless veteran help youngsters grow and develop?
It isn’t that hard to understand.
Please explain how they haven’t gotten out of the top five lottery since
as a sixer fan (yes there are some left) I pray he wants a sign and trade to Houston. I don’t care what we get in return! his ass has got to go!
They have like 60 mil in cap space. Why would they sign and trade?
How does Houston wanting to “turn things around quickly” and Harden being the number one option make any sense?
Any team he is the number one option on is going to max out winning 35 games.
If you really break it down… they need a more reliable Wing/Forward. Tobias just isn’t cutting it. And I like Tobias. He can’t go 7 for 27 from 3. Just can’t happen.
Let’s just assume they don’t blow it up. You retain Harden.
Tobias and the 29 1st for for Bojan and Burks. Add a 2nd or two if you really need to.
Then you have Korkmaz and Springer you need to move.
See if you can either A – pure salary dump them or B – get some without a role on another team. Drummond, Otto Porter (if healthy).
The 10-M saved from the Tobias trade you can give it to Harden. Frontload the contract if need-be. B/c you’ll pay Maxey the following year.
Agree
1. Trade Harris to Pistons for $20MM to reduce salary. keep Harden
2. Move away Korkmaz and House contracts right away (or ASAP)
It is not necessary to pay luxury taxes for Korkmaz and House contracts after signing Harden, McDaniel, Niang, Reed and Milton
Even if it is only $50 million tax for Korkmaz and House contracts
Why exactly do you think Otto Porter doesn’t have a role on the Raptors?
As a 76er fan, I don’t want him back
Enough is enough and that damn chicken wing of his
As a casual observer, there’s something missing in Philly—has been for some time—and Harden was never the answer
How does this clown routinely hypnotize every FO he wants to think he’s a winning player who will help them win a title? His style of play completely dissolves in the playoffs.
Steph Curry shoots to score, James Harden shoots to get to the line – these players are not the same, and one has 4 rings because of it.
Well one guy is has also had 3 or 4 future HOF playing with him too.
James Harden is notorious for quitting on his team if they are losing. Totally confused with Rockets due to this is the team he quit on twice. the sad part, the year he quit on the Rockets is the year he won MVP over LeBron, which was LeBrons best year as a player (took a real second-string team to the finals)
I do not want Harden back at all. Yes I agree time to bring veterans in. We need to build for future now. Stop tanking to get younger players. I am not sure if Harden wanted out due to DAntoni let go or Morey. Not even sure if stuck with team if we would be anywhere even now. After seeing Harden crash and burn again for playoffs with Philly. I feel for them not wanting him anymore. At least Philly fans. I want to see things we have been missing since the prior Harden times with different people. Stone May lose his job before season starts if he does not do anything. Myself need someone that has more sense than Stone.
Harden is clearly washed ……. woe to the team that thinks they can contend with him.
First, Rivers has to go. The Sixers have six (4 starters and 2 top reserves) making threes at 40% and they have no offensive plan except give the ball to Embiid. Second, Harden is going downhill so don’t invest in his future but The Sixers will need a good point guard if he leaves. Third, Harris got lucky with his contract but he plays well when Embiid is out. If he was part of the offensive plan his stats would be better. Also, this is the last year of his contract which gives him incentive and raises his value.
Houston need veterans to be good examples for the young guys. Harden is not even remotely in that category of vet.