Could James Harden Return To The Houston Rockets Next Summer?

On Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that James Harden was returning to the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $68.6 million contract, including a player option for the 2023-2024 season. Per the report, the deal guarantees Harden $33 million for next season and the opportunity to decline his $35.6 million player option and negotiate another free agent deal next summer.

Of course, on June 29, Harden had declined his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-2023 season, allowing him to enter free agency. It was expected for some time that Harden would re-sign with the 76ers but the extent of the pay cut came as a bit of a surprise to observers.

Harden had said earlier in the week that he wanted “whatever is left over” in his next contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. “I had conversations with [team president] Daryl [Morey], and it was explained how we could get better and what the market value was for certain players. I told Daryl to improve the roster, sign who we needed to sign and give me whatever is left over,” said Harden.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets, Harden’s former franchise, from whom he orchestrated a trade to the Brooklyn Nets back in 2020-2021, expect to have over $70 million of cap space next summer from which to spend upon free agents. Preserving that space was a top priority for Rockets general manager Rafael Stone in trade discussions involving John Wall, Eric Gordon, and Christian Wood.

Of course, Harden enjoyed the best seasons of his career with the Rockets, from 2012-2013 through 2019-2020, when he was the centerpiece of the franchise, guiding it to two trips to the Western Conference Finals and eight postseason berths. In those eight seasons, Harden averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game on 44.3% shooting from the field and 36.2% from ‘3’.

His stint with the Rockets ended in a messy divorce during the 2020-2021 season when, following a trade demand, he was dealt to the Nets for a package including all of the team’s draft capital for the foreseeable future. But if things go south in Philadelphia like they did in Brooklyn, could the Rockets welcome Harden back? They’d certainly have the financial means to do so if they chose.

In a cover story for Haute Time, Harden said Houston always will be his home. “My family is here — my mom, my sister, my brother — so this is the place I would call home,” Harden said.

Since Harden’s departure, the Rockets front office has assembled an impressive cadre of young talent including recent first round picks Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason. They figure to have another high lottery pick on the way next summer as well, given the relative youth and inexperience on the current roster.

But in 2024, the Rockets will owe their draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder as a result of the Russell Westbrook-Chris Paul trade in 2019. Thus, there would be no incentive for the Rockets in 2023-2024 to prioritize youth as they have been for the past two seasons. The obligation owed to the Thunder serves as a natural milestone for Houston’s rebuild. That’s where Harden could make sense as a veteran addition to steer the ship. For now, Harden seems very happy in his new home with his partnership with MVP candidate Joel Embiid. But it’s a scenario worth watching.