Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green appeared on Los Angeles Clippers small forward Paul George’s podcast and the high-flyer was asked to talk about the James Harden rumors before NBA free agency.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harden is expected to sign with the Rockets this summer and Green had an eye-brow-raising response to that rumor during his conversation with George.
“I think it could play both ways,” Green said. “It could help and hurt at the same time. I haven’t really talked to (James) too much about the rumors.”
Harden is one of the best players in Rockets franchise history. The former MVP is first all-time in 3-point field goals, free throws, assists, triple-doubles, points per game, player efficiency rating, offensive win shares, and box plus-minus.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets, James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Green, 21, averaged 22.1 points for the Rockets this season while shooting 41.6% from the field and 33.8% from beyond the arc. His usage rate would decrease significantly if Harden signed with Houston and that may not sit well with Green, who was the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Houston won only 22 games in 2022-23. The franchise has the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft and has a chance to get another talented player to play alongside Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Kenyon Martin Jr.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets, James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden averaged 21.0 points and 10.7 assists this season for the Philadelphia 76ers. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career and is still an elite offensive weapon. Pompey reported that Harden is leaning toward going back to the Rockets because he’s treated like a god in Houston.
“The belief among NBA executives is that James Harden will rejoin the Houston Rockets this summer,” Pompey wrote. “Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta ‘loves’ the 76ers point guard. The franchise expects to reunite with him, sources say. Before the Rockets hired Ime Udoka on April 25, head coaching candidates were asked for their opinion on coaching Harden during the interview process, according to sources.
“Sources have said his interest in returning to Houston is mutual and not a ploy to get a lucrative deal out of the Sixers. His mother still lives in the city. He has several business ventures there. And, as one source said, ‘he’s treated like a god in Houston.’”
If Harden does sign with the Rockets, it will be fascinating to see how he meshes with Green.
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