According to NBA personality Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, James Harden talked himself out of getting a four-year max contract with the Houston Rockets this offseason.

The Rockets’ interest in Harden “cooled” after the franchise hired Ime Udoka as the new head coach, according to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Houston used its league-leading cap space on Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green, Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets Updates

“The Rockets’ interest in reacquiring him as a free agent cooled after they hired Ime Udoka as their head coach in late April, sources said,” Shelburne wrote. “Udoka was trying to set a new culture in Houston, not bring back the past. He wanted to target defensive-minded players like Memphis’ Dillon Brooks and Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez.”

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.

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 last 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, Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets Updates

The 34-year-old Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option and requested a trade from the Sixers. He’s upset at Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey for not getting traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden skipped media day but showed up to training camp on day two.

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