During an interview with NBA writer Dionysis Aravantinos of HoopsHype, Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. said he would like to see superstar James Harden come back to Houston this offseason.
Harden, one of the greatest players in Rockets franchise history, is expected to decline his 2023-24 player option with the Philadelphia 76ers to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
“That’d be great,” Smith Jr. said about Harden joining the Rockets. “The team would want a Hall of Famer. It’s promising, but we’re not just banking on that. We’re still focused on us and how we can improve as a team.”
When Aravantinos asked Smith Jr. what his pitch would be to Harden, the youngster said, “Come back home. He did so much for that city; there’s still so much love for him in Houston. It would definitely feel like home for him if he came back.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harden is expected to sign with the Rockets, the team he played nine years for.
“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.’”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
Harden is first all-time in Rockets history 3-point field goals, free throws, assists, triple-doubles, points per game, player efficiency rating, offensive win shares, and box plus-minus.
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