This season to the division finals, the Western Nuggets swept the Lakers 4-0 early to advance to the Finals, but the Eastern Conference finals went from 3-0 to 3-3, and the Celtics are even expected to create a historical miracle, becoming the first team in NBA history to complete a 4-3 turnaround. Only three teams are still competing, and the other 27 teams in the league, including free agents this summer, are planning for the future. Since the 76ers were eliminated by the Celtics, Rivers Sr. became a scapegoat and left the class, but since then, 76ers reporter Pompeo has repeatedly revealed that Harden's departure from the 76ers this summer is almost a foregone conclusion, and there is a high probability of returning to the Rockets. But as time went on, the matter became "weird", is Harden really returning to the Rockets? In fact, the problems that exist inside are very complicated.
First of all, Wendhorst revealed that the league has shown a strong willingness for Harden to have the opportunity to sign a contract of more than $200 million for 4 years this summer! Simply put, everyone thinks Harden's return to the Rockets is a foregone conclusion. And owner Feltita likes Harden very much, which is also known that in order to retain Harden, Fertita once proposed a 2-year extension offer of more than $100 million, but Harden refused. According to salary expert Bobby Marks, considering that Harden is about to turn 34, the 76ers can only provide Harden with a 4-year contract of $210.1 million at most, while teams outside the 76ers can provide Harden with a 4-year contract of $217 million, close to $220 million, and the starting salary can exceed $46 million! But things got to this point, and Wendhorst revealed that he had sources that the 76ers were reluctant to give Harden a top salary.
Subsequently, from Clippers veteran Gordon to Nuggets backup engine Brown, they all supported Harden, saying that Harden was a good person, saying that Harden was the leader of the team, and even Gordon bluntly said that the Rockets needed Harden to lead young people to grow. But immediately after, there were American media questions: Harden's team and Houston media cooperation is so "exquisite", is it a little too strong? Is Harden just trying to raise his value with the Rockets, rather than really wanting to join the Rockets? In addition, the Philadelphia media emphasized that Harden's return to the Rockets is similar to Irving's situation with the Lone Ranger, and if the 76ers think that no other team is giving Harden a top salary, they will not give it! And because Harden hasn't officially jumped out of his contract, the rumors with the Rockets are so fierce that it has reduced interest in Harden from other teams, including the 76ers. In the end, if Harden really chooses to return to the Rockets, it will mean a complete goodbye to the championship!
So from the Rockets' perspective, what does Harden's return mean? There is no doubt that Harden has led the team to the Western Conference finals in his previous 8 years with the Rockets, and the Rockets have never missed the playoffs, and Harden has left a scoring king + MVP + All-Star + multiple All-Star team here, it can be said that Houston is Harden's home. But if Harden does come back, what does it mean for the Rockets? While participating in the Paul George podcast, Jaylen Green is saying that Harden's return is a double-edged sword, and as the core of the Rockets' future, Jaylen Green must be the biggest victim of Harden's return. Like Ethan, Shen Kyung, Jabari Smith, they will not be affected much, and Jaylen Green's unlimited firing rights are gone, and if the Rockets continue to strengthen Harden, then Jaylen Green may even become a victim of being sent away.
That's the crux of the matter! In the more than 3 years since Harden left the Rockets, the Rockets have hoarded young talent, with the goal of rebuilding and becoming a competitive team in a few years, but Harden's personal trajectory must gradually decline in the coming years. Harden is also about to turn 34 years old, since leaving the Rockets, Harden has changed from an absolute core to a supporting role and green leaf, averaging only 22+8+10 data per game, although Harden proved through the series with the Celtics that he still has enough energy, but Harden's career cannot go up! This also means that if Harden continues to be the core, the competitiveness of the Rockets will gradually weaken, which means that the Rockets have been completely overturned in the past few years with the goal of rebuilding the plan, and the key to the next few years may be empty, just because of Harden.
Remember what Rocket boss Fertitta said when Paul was sent away by the rockets? At the time, Fertita had said that Chris Paul was the worst (garbage) contract in the entire history of North American sports he had ever seen, and there was no one! And Paul didn't actually do anything wrong at the beginning, in terms of team cohesion, he is stronger than Harden. In the words of columnist Medina, Harden's return to the Rockets doesn't really mean anything, he can't provide role models for young people (nightclub regulars, his own attitude is not rigorous enough), there are no signs of inspiring the team, and he may not even be healthy. To put it simply, Paul can lead young people to grow, but the American media does not think that Harden can lead the team, especially with young people! Just imagine, wait until the 38-year-old Harden, with a contract of more than $60 million, from fans to owner Feltita, what should be Harden?
Harden's journey home, a dilemma! On the one hand, it's not that Harden isn't worth a super top salary, but for the Rockets, Harden isn't worth that much. Harden, on the other hand, wants a championship, wants a top salary, and the entire league may not be able to satisfy his team. So from Harden to the Rockets, it's all set up there. Harden can certainly eventually choose to return to the Rockets, but as he gets older, the doubts he faces will be predictable! Paul was questioned at first, but leaving the Rockets can still contribute energy to the Thunder and Suns, compared to Harden's mental attributes are not enough, the outcome can be imagined, the NBA is a business league after all.