Rockets trade news: James Harden and Eastern Conference All-Star on team’s WISHLIST for summer

Rockets trade news: James Harden and Eastern Conference All-Star on team’s WISHLIST for summer

The Houston Rockets, who are in the middle of a rebuild, are looking for new additions for the 2023-24 season. Following the 2019-20 season, the team traded their long-time star, James Harden, to the Brooklyn Nets. The team acquired Kevin Porter Jr. for the 2020-21 regular season and drafted Jalen Green in the 2021 draft. The young team now eyes out players, as the Rockets will seem to be active this postseason.

While adding star players won’t be the best option for the Rockets, considering they’re rebuilding, a recent report read that they might be eyeing immediate success. Recently Kevin Porter Jr. missed his 60th game of the season, which added roughly around $2.5 million in cap space. The Rockets have the highest salary cap in the NBA for this off-season. With high cap space, the Rockets can afford a max contract on their roster for the next season.

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Houston is looking to reunite with their former leader, James Harden. Since his departure, Harden has averaged 21 points, seven rebounds, and ten assists. Though his numbers have seen a downfall following his Rockets tenure, Harden didn’t have much to put up as he played with elite scorers. In Brooklyn, he played alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Whereas in Philly, Harden has Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Tyrese Maxey running beside him.

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Another player who falls in the Rockets’ interest is the three-time All-Star Khris Middleton. Khris is a threat from the outside while also dominating in the mid-range. However, Middleton had to deal with an injury prior to the 2022-23 season. He gradually recovered so as to play in the postseason, and so he did. Middleton put up 23 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the first round of the playoffs, which eventually resulted in an early exit for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Related: “Celtics in 5 cause Philly has Doc Rivers” – Joel Embiid, James Harden and co. to fall to Boston in second-round, predicts NBA Twitter

James Harden and Khris Middleton would add a lot of value to the team

James Harden and Joel Embiid
James Harden and Joel Embiid

If the Rockets are to acquire both players, their presence on the team would be beneficial for the young roster. Their veteran presence as well as their skillset will definitely help out the team to have a great season, though they won’t necessarily be a major playoff threat, considering the West’s postseason traffic. With the Rockets able to open as much as $72 million in cap space this offseason, it is very much possible to have these two veterans suit up in Rockets jerseys.

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Harden, who is currently in the middle of the postseason, as the Sixers advance to the second round, isn’t bothered about these rumors. Though his decision to reunite with his former team would heavily depend on this postseason’s outcome with the Sixers.

Whereas for Middleton, the Rockets have a great chance to have him on the roster. From the news spread, it will be interesting to see how active the Rockets will be this postseason.

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