James Harden is no stranger to switching teams; however, it sounds as if he might be looking to head back to where he spent the majority of his career and had the utmost success.
With a player option on tap for this summer, Harden has the ability to hit free agency if he so chooses, and according to Evan Sidery, the 11-time All-Star has his sights set on a return to the Houston Rockets, something he says is not much of a secret at this point.
“It’s an open secret that James Harden’s preferred destination for multiple years now has been returning to the Rockets.
Harden would love to finish his career in Houston, especially alongside Kevin Durant. Harden can decide to hit free agency this summer with a player option,”
The 36-year-old Harden, as mentioned, has one year left on the two-year, $81.5 million extension he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers last June, which includes a player option this summer. He averaged 23.6 PPG, 8.0 APG, and 4.8 RPG across 70 games played this season, 44 with the Clippers and 26 with the Cavaliers after the deadline trade.
Harden, of course, spent parts of nine seasons in Houston during his prime, where he won one league MVP award, led the NBA in scoring three times, and made nine consecutive All-Star appearances.
Times have changed for both Harden and the Rockets, though a potential reunion does make some sense given their need for a true point guard and creator to help facilitate offense alongside Kevin Durant and some of their other young talent.
The veteran guard expressed a desire to remain in Cleveland after being eliminated, but words don’t mean much until put into action. So until Harden opts into his contract and the Cavaliers reaffirm their commitment to him as well, rumors will continue to swirl about a potential departure.
