Harden may return to the rockets

[celticsclay]

Man does Embid ask for a trade if this happens?

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/270616/James-Harden-Returning-To-Rockets-A-Very-Real-Possibility

Imagine this team with Halliburton locked up right now instead of an aging maxed harden.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Why? Aren’t they one of the worst teams? Why would the Tockets GM want Harden and his habits around the young players?

[celticsclay]

Why? Aren’t they one of the worst teams? Why would the Tockets GM want Harden and his habits around the young players?

Can’t tank forever or you end up with a bunch of guys like Ben Simmons, nerlens noel, okafor and Markell fultz lol

[Vermont Green]

Yeah, this makes no sense for either Houston or Harden.  I don't buy it.  At the end of the article, they discuss another possible angle on this, which to me, seems much more likely:

While Harden and the Rockets may have serious interest in reuniting, it could also be Harden attempting to increase his chances of signing a lucrative contract with the Sixers. Harden recently hired Troy Payne as his agent.

"It's also a leverage point," said Windhorst.

[celticsclay]

Yeah, this makes no sense for either Houston or Harden.  I don't buy it.  At the end of the article, they discuss another possible angle on this, which to me, seems much more likely:

While Harden and the Rockets may have serious interest in reuniting, it could also be Harden attempting to increase his chances of signing a lucrative contract with the Sixers. Harden recently hired Troy Payne as his agent.

"It's also a leverage point," said Windhorst.

I did find it interesting that harden still works out at the rockets facility. Why do they allow that?

[Donoghus]

Yeah, this makes no sense for either Houston or Harden.  I don't buy it.  At the end of the article, they discuss another possible angle on this, which to me, seems much more likely:

While Harden and the Rockets may have serious interest in reuniting, it could also be Harden attempting to increase his chances of signing a lucrative contract with the Sixers. Harden recently hired Troy Payne as his agent.

"It's also a leverage point," said Windhorst.

Yeah, that's what it sounds like to me.

[Who]

Do it like LeBron did with the Lakers. I sign in LAL and you trade all your young prospects for Anthony Davis and we will go win a Championship.

Houston has a blue chip prospect in Jalen Green. A good prospect in Jabari Smith Jr. Another good prospect with Sengun. Likely another top 5 pick in next summer's draft. That is strong trading potential. You could bring in two separate stars to play alongside Harden and completely remake that team into a title contender in one off-season.