Paul Georges’ harsh stance on James Harden’s move to the Rockets isn’t wrong

Paul George rejects James Harden’s deal with Rockets: They made their decision about the future

• Factor:
  
  Ricky O’Donnell
  

• on May 24, 2023 at 1:37 p.m

Rumors linking James Harden to the Houston Rockets have been circulating for most of this season. Harden famously took a pay cut last summer to come back Philadelphia 76ers with hopes of winning a championship, but there were whispers that he would like to return to his old home of Houston as a free agent if Philly fell through. The Sixers’ season finally ended when they lost Game 7 of their second-round series Boston Celticsand now all eyes are on Harden as he ponders his decision at a leisurely pace.

The Rockets have been one of the worst teams in the NBA since the Harden trade. Houston has assembled a solid collection of young talent, led by shooting guard Jalen Green, big man Alperen Sengun and forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason. The Rockets don’t have a point guard, and that’s where Harden could fit. Of course, the Rockets also have the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and 67-point guard Amen Thompson could be the pick.

Does it really make sense for Houston to add Harden to such a young team? Paul George doesn’t think so. The veteran star’s podcast had Jalen Green this week to discuss the Harden rumors, and PG said he thinks Harden going to the Rockets would be a bad fit for everyone involved:

Here are Georges comments transcribed:

Personally, I don’t (pursue Harden), George said as a guest of Green. At this point, it’s your team. You are the king of Houston. They made their decision about who is the future. When you pick a guy with the fourth pick, he’s our guy. They are fully committed to who the future is. Like you have to go through this. You have to go through being double-teamed, triple-teamed, being the target every time. You have to go through it.

You bring in someone like James, a ball-dominant player like that stunts your growth a little bit. You know what I mean? No matter how it can take you to another level, when he teaches you and you learn from him, I feel for you, you’ve already been through the fire. So let’s keep learning.

George’s words make a lot of sense. Personally, Harden’s return to Houston would have felt better if the Rockets had won the lottery and the rights to 75 French super prospect Victor Wembanyama. We now know that Wembanyama is starting his career San Antonio Spurs. Whoever the Rockets pick at No. 4 won’t be able to provide immediate help like the French sensation would have.

Harden and the rest of the Rockets just aren’t on the same timeline. Hardens’ game has slipped since he was an annual MVP contender, but he’s still an All-Star who showed he can occasionally step it up in big moments, like he did in massive Games 1 and 4 against the Celtics in the playoffs. . Just don’t ask how he played the rest of the series.

Harden’s return to the Rockets would signal that he is giving up on winning a title, and now he just wants to make as much money as possible after taking a pay cut to play in Philly last year. Repatriation makes sense for Harden on the cusp of his 34th birthday, but it makes less sense for Houston. That team still isn’t going to win many games after giving Harden a max offer, and it would likely create a strange locker room dynamic between the young guys and the former superstar.

Maybe Harden is just using the threat of going to Houston as a way to get the Sixers to give him the biggest contract possible? Either way, get ready for another explosive NBA season.

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