The Houston Rockets could pursue Kyrie Irving this offseason if they don’t get James Harden, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
“I have also heard that the Rockets, in the event that they are unable to lure Harden away from Philadelphia and back to Houston, plan to weigh a run at Dallas’ Kyrie Irving,” Stein wrote. “The Mavericks remain the league’s only known team with definitive interest in signing the mercurial Irving next month, but league sources say that the Rockets have been increasingly cited as a team that could (stress: could) join the bidding if Harden elects to stay with the 76ers.”
The Rockets have $60 million in cap space. They could pay Irving a lot of money to come to Houston. The franchise hired Ime Udoka as its next head coach and has the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, James Harden & Houston Rockets Updates
An NBA scout believes the Rockets should pursue Irving this offseason in free agency. The scout told NBA Analysis Network that he likes Irving’s fit on the Rockets more than Harden’s potential fit.
“Harden has been linked to Houston a lot. That obviously is real, but I like Kyrie Irving as a better fit,” the scout said. “He’s more of a natural mentor and wouldn’t be as ball dominant as Harden. I see that being a great basketball fit. Again, young players respond well to his [Irving’s] leadership, and he has championship experience. He could give that team more direction offensively. That would go a long way for those guys like Jalen Green and [Alperen] Sengun, especially for Jabari Smith.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, James Harden & Houston Rockets Updates
A future Hall of Famer, Irving has career averages of 23.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks. He’s played in three NBA Finals and was part of the 2016 Cavaliers team that beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
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