James Harden Rumors: Rockets Contract Remains 'a Serious Possibility' for 76ers Star

The selection of Amen Thompson will apparently not dissuade the Houston Rockets from pursuing a James Harden reunion this summer.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Harden returning to Houston remains a "serious possibility" as the Philadelphia 76ers star prepares to hit the open market.

While momentum for Harden exiting Philadelphia for Houston hit a fever pitch after the Sixers' second-round elimination in the playoffs, the move doesn't have much on-paper logic for either side.

The Rockets are still early in a multifaceted rebuild that began when Harden first forced his way out of Houston in 2021. While their projected $59.8 million in cap space is nice, they have no realistic shot at building a contender next season—or likely even the one after that.

Houston's selection of Thompson with the No. 4 pick also gives the team three talented guards ages 23 or younger. There's no logical reason for the Rockets to have interest in adding another guard to the mix who is decade older than their rising backcourt players. Having Porter and Thompson alone on the roster will be an interesting mix given they're both competitive young players who thrive with the ball in their hands.

The Sixers, meanwhile, are essentially backed into a corner with Harden. They have no avenue to compete if he leaves in free agency, and his departure would likely alienate reigning MVP Joel Embiid.

While signing Harden to a long-term max contract isn't ideal given his playoff struggles and noticeable decline as a scorer, Philly essentially has no choice.