James Harden destroyed chance to join Rockets with unbelievable SELFISHNESS, claims Stephen A. Smith

James Harden's future with the Sixers is still uncertain, but it appears that Rockets had expressed interest in a potential trade.

James Harden destroyed chance to join Rockets with unbelievable SELFISHNESS, claims Stephen A. Smith

James Harden (Credit: Bleacher Report)

James Harden’s future in the NBA is still uncertain, but it appears that a team has expressed interest in a potential trade.

Harden’s future with the Philadelphia 76ers has been uncertain since the team’s loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-finals last season. Initially set to become a free agent in the summer, he chose to exercise his $35.6 million (£29.3 million) player option for the 2023/24 season.

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Reportedly, Houston Rockets briefly entertained the idea of orchestrating a blockbuster reunion with Harden. However, they ultimately decided against it, with Stephen A. Smith suggesting that Harden’s self-centered motives played a role in their decision.

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During an episode of First Take, Smith asserted that the Rockets had initially expressed interest in offering Harden a maximum contract However, once he made it clear to Ime Udoka that he wanted to win the scoring title, the franchise wasted no time in backing out of the deal.

Claiming the report came from a highly credible source, he said, “The Houston Rockets were talking to James Harden, thinking about bringing him back after Ime Udoka was brought in. As I am told, he actually talked himself out of a max deal because he went there talking about how he wanted to return to be the scoring champion. And Ime Udoka and they were like “Nah, we ain’t tryna have that here, we building something a little bit different here. Had he come there and said the right things, they would have given him a four-year max deal.”

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James Harden misses media appearance with the team

Harden had a remarkable nine-season play with the Houston Rockets from 2012 to 2021, initially arriving in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. His time in Houston strengthened his status as one of the finest point guards in the NBA, following his time here, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

James Harden
James Harden (via ESPN)

Harden, along with the rest of the Sixers’ roster, was scheduled to attend media day on Monday and the first day of practice on Tuesday. However, the 34-year-old did not make an appearance, raising questions about his future. Nevertheless, ESPN reported that the Sixers anticipate Harden’s return for training camp in the coming days.

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