Rockets' Jalen Green Talks James Harden Rumors With Paul George

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey made it clear last week that the Sixers have not given up hope on the James Harden era in Philly.

As the offseason begins for the Sixers, who came up short against the Boston Celtics in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Philadelphia’s “Plan A” prioritizes retaining Harden for the 2023-2024 NBA season and beyond.

Harden could simply accept his player option for next year, but it’s become clear that the star guard intends to decline the second-year option. As a result, he’ll become a free agent and is expected to seek a multi-year deal that won’t come cheap for any inquiring organizations.

Since December, Harden has been linked to his former team, the Houston Rockets. As Harden could choose to go wherever he wants this summer as an unrestricted free agent, many seem to believe that the ten-time All-Star is gearing up for a reunion just a few seasons after forcing his way out of Houston.

Currently, the Rockets are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, which has put them in a rebuilding position over the last few seasons. While Houston’s timeline doesn’t necessarily match Harden’s, as he mentioned he wants to play for a team that has an opportunity to compete for a title, Harden has shown tons of support for Houston’s current young rising star, Jalen Green.

While Harden’s next move is unclear this early on in the offseason, Green recently acknowledged the idea that he could join forces with the ten-time All-Star. And it seems the young standout recognizes there are pros and cons to possibly playing with Harden on a personal level.

In a discussion with Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, Green heard the veteran sharpshooter dish his thoughts on Harden’s potential return to Houston and what that could mean for the former fourth-pick.

“Personally, I wouldn’t feel like… At this point, that’s your [team]. Like, you’re the King of Houston. They made their decision on who the future is,” George explained. “When you pick a guy with the fourth pick, he’s our guy. They full-on committed to who the future is. Like you got to go through this. You got to go through being double-teamed, triple-teamed, being a target every time. You gotta go through that, and you bring on someone like James who's such a ball-dominant player like that's gonna hinder your growth a little bit. You know what I mean? Regardless of how it can elevate you on another level of him teaching you and you learning off of him, I feel like for you, you've already been through the fire. So, let you continue to learn.”

Green didn’t have much to add on the subject, but he seemed to see it the same way as the Clippers’ star.

“I agree, It can play both ways,” Green responded. “Like you just said, it can help and hurt at the same time. I haven’t really talked to him too much about the rumors and stuff like that. I’m with you on that.”

If the Rockets were to land Harden in the offseason, it would speed up their transition from a rebuilding squad to a potential Play-In/Playoff team. However, it could call for more changes to the young roster and stunt the growth of the developing players such as Green.

All along, the Harden-to-Houston rumors made little sense for both sides due to various reasons. But if the Rockets are willing to do all they can to get themselves back in the fast lane to the playoffs by adding Harden, Green could have a big season ahead.