James Harden 'serious about a possible return' to the Rockets this offseason in free agency
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 James Harden’s outlook say he’s as serious about a possible return now as he was when he left town.
Source: Kelly Iko, Sam Amick, Sam Amick and Kelly Iko @ The Athletic
Source: Kelly Iko, Sam Amick, Sam Amick and Kelly Iko @ The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
The Ringer @ringernba
James Harden is still very good. But the question remains: Can he sustain his best through a playoff run that lasts more than two rounds?
@MichaelVPina: theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 3:07 PM
James Harden is still very good. But the question remains: Can he sustain his best through a playoff run that lasts more than two rounds?
@MichaelVPina: theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 3:07 PM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
For the record:
-I had Steph as the 2021 MVP
-Switched to Giannis as last year’s MVP at the last minute.
-Would pick Jokic this year if season ended today
-Had Kawhi over Russ/Harden in 2017
-would’ve had Dwight over Rose in 2011
-would’ve had CP3 over Kobe in 2008 – 2:59 PM
For the record:
-I had Steph as the 2021 MVP
-Switched to Giannis as last year’s MVP at the last minute.
-Would pick Jokic this year if season ended today
-Had Kawhi over Russ/Harden in 2017
-would’ve had Dwight over Rose in 2011
-would’ve had CP3 over Kobe in 2008 – 2:59 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I just don’t want to see a Houston team with a ton of promising young talent go down the Harden road.
Sengun and Green have All-Star potential. Jabari desperately needs on-ball reps if he’s gonna develop beyond 3-and-D. They’ve got another lotto pick incoming. Focus on them. – 1:28 PM
I just don’t want to see a Houston team with a ton of promising young talent go down the Harden road.
Sengun and Green have All-Star potential. Jabari desperately needs on-ball reps if he’s gonna develop beyond 3-and-D. They’ve got another lotto pick incoming. Focus on them. – 1:28 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Maybe you’re willing to take that risk. I, personally, wouldn’t be. If Harden comes to me and says “full five year max or I’m going back to the Rockets,” unless he just took me to the Finals, I’m saying “good luck in Houston” and pivoting to 2024 cap space. – 1:22 PM
Maybe you’re willing to take that risk. I, personally, wouldn’t be. If Harden comes to me and says “full five year max or I’m going back to the Rockets,” unless he just took me to the Finals, I’m saying “good luck in Houston” and pivoting to 2024 cap space. – 1:22 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If you’re Philly, and you give James Harden the full max deal he seems to want, you’re essentially betting the Joel Embiid era on the next few years.
That contract is going to age badly. You have almost no tradable draft capital. That Harden deal takes cap space off the table. – 1:21 PM
If you’re Philly, and you give James Harden the full max deal he seems to want, you’re essentially betting the Joel Embiid era on the next few years.
That contract is going to age badly. You have almost no tradable draft capital. That Harden deal takes cap space off the table. – 1:21 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
James Harden going back to Houston? The rumors are getting louder. inquirer.com/sixers/nba-rum… via @phillyinquirer – 12:49 PM
James Harden going back to Houston? The rumors are getting louder. inquirer.com/sixers/nba-rum… via @phillyinquirer – 12:49 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
More whispers free agent James Harden could return to Houston this summer nba.nbcsports.com/2023/03/01/mor… – 12:46 PM
More whispers free agent James Harden could return to Houston this summer nba.nbcsports.com/2023/03/01/mor… – 12:46 PM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
i wrote about james harden, a star whose past makes judging his present an incredible challenge: theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 12:03 PM
i wrote about james harden, a star whose past makes judging his present an incredible challenge: theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 12:03 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
“I fell short, and for that, I am forever indebted. It’s far from a goodbye, as I pay all my debts,” said James Harden after he left Houston to Brooklyn.
We’re discussing a potential Harden return and all things #Rockets now on @RocketsWatch
playback.tv/rocketswatch – 12:03 PM
“I fell short, and for that, I am forever indebted. It’s far from a goodbye, as I pay all my debts,” said James Harden after he left Houston to Brooklyn.
We’re discussing a potential Harden return and all things #Rockets now on @RocketsWatch
playback.tv/rocketswatch – 12:03 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
If people bothered to understand James Hardens ties to Houston and the fans while he was here, they wouldn’t have trouble understanding this now.
It only fails to make sense if you assume Harden is the only addition Houston would make in such a situation. – 10:49 AM
If people bothered to understand James Hardens ties to Houston and the fans while he was here, they wouldn’t have trouble understanding this now.
It only fails to make sense if you assume Harden is the only addition Houston would make in such a situation. – 10:49 AM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
.@KellyIko and @sam_amick:
“Houston is widely expected to pursue [James Harden] if, as is expected, he declines his player option… Sources with knowledge of Harden’s outlook say he’s as serious about a possible return now as he was when he left town.”
theathletic.com/4261804/2023/0… – 10:31 AM
.@KellyIko and @sam_amick:
“Houston is widely expected to pursue [James Harden] if, as is expected, he declines his player option… Sources with knowledge of Harden’s outlook say he’s as serious about a possible return now as he was when he left town.”
theathletic.com/4261804/2023/0… – 10:31 AM
Kelly Iko @KellyIko
The Rockets are widely expected to pursue 76ers guard James Harden this offseason, sources tell @TheAthletic — assuming he declines his player option.
Inside a bond that refuses to dissipate, a tale of two cities and the allure of unfinished business.
theathletic.com/4261804/2023/0… – 10:12 AM
The Rockets are widely expected to pursue 76ers guard James Harden this offseason, sources tell @TheAthletic — assuming he declines his player option.
Inside a bond that refuses to dissipate, a tale of two cities and the allure of unfinished business.
theathletic.com/4261804/2023/0… – 10:12 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Could James Harden really leave Philly and return to Houston this summer?
An inside look at this fascinating free agency situation, the origin story behind it and all the relevant factors, with @KellyIko, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/4261804/2023/0… – 10:11 AM
Could James Harden really leave Philly and return to Houston this summer?
An inside look at this fascinating free agency situation, the origin story behind it and all the relevant factors, with @KellyIko, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/4261804/2023/0… – 10:11 AM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
harden has dunked the ball one time this entire season. it happened in october.
he’s driving the ball 13.3 times per game, his lowest average since 2014. also: his blowby rate was 39.9% a few years ago. it’s now 19.8% theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 10:09 AM
harden has dunked the ball one time this entire season. it happened in october.
he’s driving the ball 13.3 times per game, his lowest average since 2014. also: his blowby rate was 39.9% a few years ago. it’s now 19.8% theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 10:09 AM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
new @ringer: james harden is this season’s assist leader, having one of his most efficient years, playing huge minutes on a championship contender that has an amazing offense with him on the court.
is he overlooked, or does none of this actually matter? theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 10:03 AM
new @ringer: james harden is this season’s assist leader, having one of his most efficient years, playing huge minutes on a championship contender that has an amazing offense with him on the court.
is he overlooked, or does none of this actually matter? theringer.com/nba/2023/3/1/2… – 10:03 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
The Sixers served up yet another heartbreaker, this time when a three-pointer by James Harden didn’t fall.
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 2:01 PM
The Sixers served up yet another heartbreaker, this time when a three-pointer by James Harden didn’t fall.
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 2:01 PM
More on this storyline
The deal to Brooklyn that finally went down on Jan. 13, 2021, was already done, with Harden heading to the Nets in a blockbuster involving four teams, three first-round picks, four first-round pick swaps and players. But Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, whose unabashed love of all things Harden was no secret during their three and a half years contending for titles together, had a message to share with his soon-to-be former franchise centerpiece on his way out the door. “You’re always welcome back here,” he told him in so many words during a goodbye phone call between the two. -via The Athletic / March 1, 2023
But more than two years later, with Harden focused on his championship pursuits with the Philadelphia 76ers these days and the speculation over what he’ll do in free agency already in full swing, the more important part about that final Rockets conversation was what came next. Harden, sources with knowledge of the situation say, made it abundantly clear the feeling was mutual. There were no promises made that day — on either side — but everyone who was part of those final Harden days in Houston knew there were strong indications he’d be back, specifically, in the summer of 2023. -via The Athletic / March 1, 2023
Amid all the evidence Harden might be planning a return to Houston, here’s the part where his situation gets so fascinating: 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. -via The Athletic / March 1, 2023