The rumors connecting James Harden to the Houston Rockets have been circulating for many of this season. Harden famously took a pay lower final summer season to return to the Philadelphia 76ers in hopes of profitable a championship, however there have been whispers he’d need to return to his previous residence in Houston as a free agent if Philly got here up quick. The Sixers’ season finally ended after they misplaced Recreation 7 of a second spherical collection in opposition to the Boston Celtics, and now all eyes are on Harden as he weighs his choice in free company.
The Rockets have been one of many worst groups within the NBA since buying and selling Harden. Houston has amassed a strong assortment of younger expertise, led by taking pictures guard Jalen Inexperienced, massive man Alperen Sengun, and forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason. What the Rockets don’t have is some extent guard, and that’s the place Harden may slot in. After all, the Rockets additionally personal the No. 4 general decide within the 2023 NBA Draft, and 6’7 level guard Amen Thompson could possibly be the decide.
Does it actually make sense for Houston so as to add Harden to such a younger workforce? Paul George doesn’t assume so. The veteran star had Jalen Inexperienced on his podcast this week to debate the Harden rumors, and PG stated he thinks Harden going to the Rockets can be a nasty match for everybody concerned:
Listed below are George’s feedback, transcribed:
“Personally, I wouldn’t (pursue Harden),” George stated with Inexperienced as his visitor. “At this level, that’s your workforce. You’re the king of Houston. They made their choice on who the long run is. While you decide a man with the fourth decide, he’s our man. They full-on dedicated to who the long run is. Such as you bought to undergo this. You bought to undergo being double-teamed, triple-teamed, being a goal each time. You gotta undergo that.”
“You deliver on somebody like James who’s such a ball-dominant participant like that’s gonna hinder your development somewhat bit. You understand what I imply? No matter the way it can elevate you on one other degree of him instructing you and also you studying off of him, I really feel like for you, you’ve already been by the fireplace. So, allow you to proceed to study.”
What George is saying makes a whole lot of sense. Personally, Harden going again to Houston would have felt like a greater match if the Rockets received the lottery and the rights to 7’5 French tremendous prospect Victor Wembanyama. We now know Wembanyama will begin his profession with the San Antonio Spurs. Whoever the Rockets decide at No. 4 received’t have the ability to present speedy assist just like the French sensation would have.
Harden and the remainder of the Rockets’ roster simply aren’t on the identical timeline. Harden’s recreation has slipped from when he was yearly competing for MVPs, however he’s nonetheless an All-Star caliber participant who proved he can sometimes flip it up in massive moments as he did with large Recreation 1 and Recreation 4 performances in opposition to the Celtics within the playoffs. Simply don’t ask about how he performed the remainder of that collection.
Harden going to again to the Rockets can be an indication he’s basically giving up on attempting to win a title, and now simply needs to take advantage of cash attainable after taking a pay lower to play in Philly final 12 months. Cashing in is sensible for Harden getting ready to his thirty fourth birthday, nevertheless it makes much less sense for Houston. That workforce nonetheless isn’t going to win many video games after giving Harden a max deal, and it will seemingly create an odd locker room dynamic between the younger guys and the previous celebrity.
Possibly Harden is simply utilizing the specter of going to Houston as a approach to leverage the Sixers into giving him the largest deal attainable? Both approach, prepare for an additional explosive NBA offseason.
