Paul George, Jalen Green discuss potential James Harden-Rockets return
At this point, everybody is pretty familiar with the potential return to the Houston Rockets for James Harden. The Philadelphia 76ers acquired the future Hall of Famer from the Brooklyn Nets at the 2022 deadline and after Harden re-signed with the Sixers on a 1+1 deal in the ’22 offseason, he is likely to opt out of that deal and enter free agency.
Since the initial “Harden could return to Houston” reports around Christmas Day, there have been plenty of reports that he will go back to the Rockets this offseason. Of course, this could all be just a leverage play in order to coax the Sixers into giving him more money, but regardless, the noise of him going back to the Rockets continues to grow louder.
Rockets guard Jalen Green joined Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George on “Podcast P with Paul George” and the two of them discussed the potential Harden-Rockets return (h/t Rockets Wire):
George to Green: At this point, I wouldn’t (want Harden to return). I feel like at this point, you’re the king of Houston. No (expletive). They made their decision on who the future is.
You got to go through this. Being double-teamed, being tripe-teamed, being the target every time, you got to go through that. You bring on someone like James who is such a ball-dominant player, that’s going to hinder your growth a little bit.
Green’s response: It can help and hurt at the same time. I haven’t really talked to him too much about the rumors and stuff like that.
#Rockets guard Jalen Green appeared on the @PodcastPShow with Paul George and the topic of James Harden coming back to Houston came up.
PG is not a fan of the move.
Jalen? Well…you be the judge. pic.twitter.com/pReU7Nzi5D
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGoteraKHOU) May 22, 2023
The Sixers are going to do everything they can to bring back Harden. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey obviously has a great relationship with him and the two of them will negotiate until the final hour to hammer out the right deal. Philadelphia is not likely to commit the 4-years $210.1 million they can offer him, but both sides will work diligently in order to keep The Beard in Philadelphia.
