Inside The Rockets

Could James Harden Flirt With Rockets Return?

Houston Rockets legend James Harden has teased the idea of a return, but could it happen again as he negotiates with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jeremy Brener

Mar 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) attempts to score as Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) attempts to score as Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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No, James Harden is not re-signing with the Houston Rockets.

The Los Angeles Clippers guard is a free agent this offseason, and he'll look to sign one of his last big contracts in the NBA, but it won't be the team in which he's played a majority of his career with.

However, Bleacher Report believes he could tease the idea of playing with the Rockets this offseason, similar to how he did a year ago.

"The result of his free agency isn't that tough to forecast. He's probably going to get a one-plus-one deal from the Clippers with a second-year option, perhaps nudging up against $70 million in total value," Bleacher Report writes. "Everything that happens before that—which could include Harden lashing out at the Clippers, threatening to go back to the Houston Rockets or any other move in his deep bag of disgruntled-player tricks—is where the real excitement will be."

The idea of Harden opting out of his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers to return to the Houston Rockets in their big offseason splash last summer floated around, but there was never much traction.

If that happens again this summer, it will simply be for leverage purposes in his Clippers negotiations.

The Rockets are perfectly fine at the guard spot with Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Amen Thompson leading the way. The Rockets could also draft a guard with the No. 3 overall pick in next month's draft.

While there is still a chance for Harden to return to the Rockets in the twilight of his career, that time isn't upon us yet, making a return for next season as slim as can be.

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Jeremy Brener

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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