NBA Scout Believes Kyrie Irving Is A Better Free Agency Fit For Rockets Than James Harden

An NBA scout believes soon-to-be free agent Kyrie Irving will be a better fit for the Houston Rockets than James Harden.

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets will be one of the most active teams in free agency. And with nearly $60 million in cap space, the Rockets hope to land a big-name free agent this summer.

A reunion between the Rockets and James Harden seems inevitable. But according to the NBA Analysis Network, one scout believes All-Star guard Kyrie Irving would be a more suitable fit for the Rockets rather than welcoming Harden back to Houston.

"Harden has been linked to Houston a lot. That obviously is real, but I like Kyrie Irving as a better fit," the scout said. "He’s more of a natural mentor and wouldn’t be as ball dominant as Harden. I see that being a great basketball fit."

Irving will enter the off-season as an unrestricted free agent. There is uncertainty surrounding the possibility of him re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks in July, who traded for him in February after a three-year stint with the Brooklyn Nets.

Irving is up for a four-year, $220.6 million deal to remain with the Mavericks. There isn't a huge market for the eight-time All-Star at the moment. But the Los Angeles Lakers are the primary team most likely to pursue Irving, which would reunite him with his former championship teammate, LeBron James. 

There are no rumors that have linked Irving to the Rockets. But Houston has an interest in adding a veteran point guard to their young corps ahead of the 2023-24 season.

"Young players respond well to his leadership, and he has championship experience. He could give that team more direction offensively. That would go a long way for those guys like Jalen Green and [Alperen] Sengun, especially for Jabari Smith." — per NBA Analysis Network.

As a member of the Nets and Mavericks, Irving averaged 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 60 games during the 2022-23 season. 

He began his career as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2012. The Cavaliers traded Irving to the Boston Celtics following their 2017 NBA Finals defeat to the Golden State Warriors.

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