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Is James Harden plotting his return to the Houston Rockets<\/a> if he enters free company in the summertime of 2023? It\u2019s an actual chance, in line with a brand new report by ESPN\u2019s Adrian Wojnarowski<\/a>.<\/p>\n Harden has a participant possibility for subsequent season after taking a $14 million pay reduce to return to Philadelphia over the offseason. The 76ers<\/a> had been among the many preseason favorites within the East, however they\u2019re the No. 5 seed within the convention forward of their Christmas day recreation in opposition to the New York Knicks<\/a> after a 19-12 begin. Harden may look to return to Houston \u2014 who’s flushed with cap area \u2014 over the offseason if Philadelphia comes up quick within the playoffs, in line with Woj. The report additionally notes that Harden should still keep in Philadelphia if the Sixers have the kind of postseason success he\u2019s in search of.<\/p>\n This appears like such a jarring scoop from Woj as a result of Harden compelled his method out of Houston lower than two years in the past. His stops in Brooklyn and Philadelphia since have didn’t yield the deep playoff run he\u2019s been hoping for. A transfer again to the Rockets seemingly wouldn\u2019t put him in place to compete for a championship instantly, however it might enable him to doubtlessly receives a commission a max contract. <\/p>\n Harden spent the very best years of his profession with the Houston Rockets, the place he powered eight consecutive playoff runs, two journeys to the convention finals, and gained the 2018 MVP award. For all of Houston\u2019s success within the Harden period, the franchise may by no means breakthrough to the NBA Finals<\/a> and finally began to tear down the core round him. Harden noticed the writing on the wall and compelled his method out, finally getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets<\/a> on Jan. 14, 2021 for a large bundle of future draft picks that included three first spherical draft picks (2022, 2024 and 2026) and 4 first spherical decide swaps (2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027) going to Houston. <\/p>\n Harden\u2019s keep in Brooklyn barely lasted a yr earlier than he compelled his method right into a commerce once more, this time as a result of he was upset with Kyrie Irving\u2019s lack of availability following his refusal to get the Covid vaccine and the staff\u2019s lack of success. Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 10, 2022 for a bundle that included Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and two first-round draft picks going to Brooklyn.<\/p>\n Harden just lately gave an interview with Yaron Weitzman<\/a> the place he stated he modified the sport and the one factor his legacy is lacking is a championship. He compelled his method out of Houston to place himself in a greater place to win a title, however each the Nets and Sixers got here up quick. <\/p>\n The Nets gained just one playoff collection in two playoff runs with Harden. The Sixers had been knocked out within the second spherical of the playoffs final yr by the Miami Heat<\/a>.<\/p>\n Harden is not one of many recreation\u2019s greatest scorers at 33 years outdated, however he\u2019s nonetheless a extremely productive level guard. Harden is averaging 21.4 factors and 10.9 assists per recreation this season in Philadelphia. <\/p>\n