Will the 76ers’ James Harden return to his former team the Houston Rockets?
It’s fair to say that the 10-time NBA All-Star has not been the same since he left the Rockets. Yet, that could all be about to change if rumors of a return are true.
While the idea of James Harden returning to the Houston Rockets isn’t new, it certainly gained more traction during the All-Star Weekend. With a new report now suggesting that there may actually be a good chance he makes the move, it’s time to take a more serious look at the situation.
What’s been said about James Harden’s possible return to Houston?
It’s never a good idea to take rumors and speculation seriously, but when you’ve got more tangible information on a scenario, it may well be time to look at things a little differently. According to a recent piece by ‘The Athletic’ James Harden is in fact seriously considering a return to the city that he considers to be his home. See below for an extract:
“Sources, who like all of the other sources in this story were granted anonymity so that they could speak freely, have told The Athletic 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. And even more surprisingly, sources with knowledge of Harden’s outlook say he’s as serious about a possible return now as he was when he left town. ...According to a high-ranking Sixers source with knowledge of the team’s operation, they are “unconcerned” about possibly losing him this summer. This confidence, it seems, is rooted in the belief that only Philadelphia can provide the two things Harden holds most dear: A chance to contend for a title, and maximum earning potential.”
So, will James Harden return to the Rockets?
In reality, one has to appreciate that this will largely depend on how the 76ers do this year. Should the Philly make it to the Conference Finals for example, or even the NBA Finals, it just might be that Harden walks back on his stance. Of course, were they to exit in the early stages of the postseason or the unthinkable, not make the playoffs at all, one has to believe that there’s a good chance Harden will be going through the door. The other factor is of course the money. Given the kind of cap space that Houston has - it’s a lot - they could reasonably afford to offer Harden a max deal in the realm of $46.9 million - it will depend on the final salary cap figure. Where the Sixers are concerned, they’ve got the upper hand in that they can offer 8% raises and an extra guaranteed year, to the tune of $272 million across five years. The Rockets can really only give a 5% raises across four years, or a total of $201 million.
In the end, we’re betting on Harden to choose the best shot at winning a ring, as opposed to his home. It’s worth mentioning that the 2018 MVP has family in Houston and is heavily involved in both charities and businesses in the city, however, the Rockets are currently in rebuild mode, which is to say not title contenders. When all is said and done, the 76ers are at the very least a top 5 team in the NBA right here and now and they can pay him more. That being said, stranger things have happened in the NBA.