Kevin Durant Rumors: James Harden Reportedly Asked by Rockets to Help Recruit SF

Mike NorrisApr 3, 2016

It doesn't appear as though there is a team in the NBA that's not actively working behind the scenes to try to sign impending free-agent Kevin Durant.

Continue for updates.

Durant Can Add Rockets to List of Suitors

Sunday, April 3

At 38-39, the Houston Rockets, just one season removed from a trip to the Western Conference Finals, are struggling to earn a postseason spot this year.

According to Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com (h/t Ananth Pandian of CBS Sports), they are trying to reach that level again by asking their own superstar—and Durant's former teammate—James Harden, to work on bringing him to Houston:

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The Rockets' best player and leading scorer will become the main recruiter this summer in the franchise's quest to sign Kevin Durant, whom Harden played with for three seasons in Oklahoma City.
Selling points for the Rockets include no state income tax in Texas, ability to team up with one of the league's best scorers in Harden, and a bigger city with more marketing opportunities compared to Oklahoma City.
...
The Rockets front office has talked to Harden about recruiting, and Harden is ready to play his part.
"In order to put yourself as an elite team, you always got to have talent, right?" Harden said while not addressing Durant specifically. "You always got to get better and find ways to improve. That's any team."
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While not having to pay state income tax would be appealing to anyone, especially someone making as much money as an NBA player, that might not be a huge selling point for someone who plays with passion and wants a championship ring.

Durant, who is averaging 28.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, has come close, losing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals, but he hasn't advanced past the Western Conference Finals since then.

Pandian gave his thoughts on a possible move to Houston for Durant:

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Durant has shown that he doesn't need a big city like Houston to become a big marketable star. In Oklahoma City, he is the face of the franchise and has amassed several national sponsorships with companies like Nike and Sonic. He is one of the top players in league and has crafted his own stardom in Oklahoma City, where he has always shown loyalty to. Also, Durant currently plays with Russell Westbrook, a dynamic scorer and playmaker who, like Harden, is one of the top guards in the NBA. The Thunder are also a better team overall than the Rockets, and are more well suited to contend for a championship.
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It's nice for Rockets fans to think it could happen, but they are just one of many teams in line for Durant, who may eventually decide to stay in Oklahoma City if he feels he can win a title with All-Star teammate Russell Westbrook.

Pandian also mentioned that Durant's childhood friend Michael Beasley plays for Houston, and while that could help, the Washington Wizards play in his hometown, which might carry more weight.

It's going to be an interesting offseason, but at least Houston fans can be happy their team appears to be a player in the sweepstakes for one of the NBA's superstars.