The Houston Rockets had already chosen not to pursue former NBA MVP James Harden in recent weeks, according to Sam Amick and Kelly Iko of The Athletic. The Rockets are more motivated to sign All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet.
“Sources say the Rockets — with a first-year coach in Ime Udoka, a cadre of young prospects and $64 million in salary cap space to spend — had already chosen not to pursue Harden in free agency in recent weeks and thus eliminated another of his top options,” Amick and Iko wrote. “As so many suspected long ago, when the league-wide chatter about Harden heading back to the rebuilding Rockets was growing louder by the month, the fit was ultimately deemed incongruous.
“There is still no shortage of love for Harden and his game among Rockets officials, with owner Tilman Fertitta, his son and liaison Patrick, and general manager Rafael Stone chief among that group, but the choice was made to take a pass on another Harden chapter.”
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
During the 2017-18 season, Harden averaged 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists, winning the MVP Award and leading the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals. However, the Golden State Warriors defeated Houston in seven games.
Harden requested a trade from the Rockets in 2020-21 and was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The 10-time All-Star played in 80 games with the Nets before getting traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021-22. Harden averaged 21.0 points and 10.7 assists this past season for the Sixers. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
The 33-year-old Harden has opted into his 2023-24 player option and is working with the Sixers on a trade. The three-time scoring champion wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and is extremely upset at the way in which the Sixers handled his possible free agency.
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