It looks like James Harden may not join the Houston Rockets this offseason after all, as ESPN’s Jeremy Woo is reporting that “The Beard” going back to Houston is a situation that rival NBA teams have come to view as increasingly uncertain in recent weeks.
If Harden doesn’t sign with the Rockets, Houston could draft Amen Thompson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
“At this point, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore are the two names circulating as leading candidates at No. 4,” Woo wrote. “One potential factor in the decision is James Harden’s potential return to the Rockets — a situation that rival teams have come to view as increasingly uncertain in recent weeks.
“Provided they can give Thompson the requisite role and runway to develop and realize his tantalizing upside, Houston can certainly justify a major swing here by betting on the mix of elite athleticism, size and playmaking skills that could turn him into a star and the type of dynamic point guard its roster lacks. Thompson has received strong reviews from teams on the workout circuit and it appears the questions surrounding his jump shot won’t preclude him from hearing his name called early.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
Harden is expected to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason after he declines his 2023-24 player option with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Rockets legend has been heavily linked to going back to Houston, but it may not happen anymore.
What can’t be denied is that Harden is one of the greatest players in Rockets franchise history. He’s 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: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
If Harden isn’t going back to Houston, is he staying in Philly with MVP Joel Embiid? Or is he going to reunite with Kevin Durant on the Phoenix Suns? Only time will tell.
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