James Harden expected to make a return to Rockets / News - Basketnews.com

NBA executives strongly believe that James Harden will rejoin the Houston Rockets during the upcoming summer. The player's interest in returning to Houston is mutual.

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

The belief among NBA executives is that James Harden will rejoin the Houston Rockets this summer, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Points this season

46%110,7Points made:110,7Accuracy:45,7%Place in standings:28Record max:142Record min:88Best scorer:Jalen GreenTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta reportedly has a strong affinity for the Philadelphia 76ers point guard, and Pompey's sources indicate that the franchise expects a reunion to happen.

Prior to the hiring of Ime Udoka as head coach on April 25, coaching candidates were even asked for their opinions on coaching Harden during the interview process, per the same report.

Harden's interest in returning to Houston is genuine and not a tactic to secure a lucrative deal with the Sixers, an NBA insider adds. The presence of his mother in the city and his various business ventures there contribute to his affinity for Houston.

Additionally, he is highly revered in the city, with one source noting that he is "treated like a god" in Houston.

Harden is regarded as one of the Rockets' greatest players of all time, having earned the 2018 MVP award and numerous other accolades during his impressive nine-season tenure with the team.

Harden is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option and enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Chris Haynes from Bleacher Report reported.

Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and league-best 10.7 assists this season.

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.