Rumors: James Harden To Recruit Kevin Durant To Rockets

The Houston Rockets are yet to replicate the success they had in the ’90s. Out of all the teams who are unable to get back to their former level of prestige, they seem to take the most criticism for being unable to get back to the golden days. After another disappointing free agency, the Rockets are planning to go after Kevin Durant in next summer’s free agency.

They’re hoping guard James Harden will assist in their quest to get back to being NBA elite.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported that the Rockets are not only interested in recruiting Durant, but will use their top asset James Harden to reel him in.

"The Rockets are widely expected to take a step back this season, thanks to all the depth they squandered on the Bosh dice roll, but they expect to have significant salary-cap room next summer — when they can chase point guards as accomplished as Goran Dragic and Rajon Rondo if they choose — as well as in the summer of 2016.Which is when, sources say, they’d like to give Harden an opportunity to serve as Houston’s lead recruiter in the pursuit of a free agent named Kevin Wayne Durant."

Let’s be clear … in the summer of 2015 there will be 30 out of 30 teams interested in the services of Kevin Durant. Some will have enough attraction and gall to muster up a pitch for reigning MVP to consider, and some will just rely on a wing and prayer. With LeBron James possibly never entertaining any team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers in the free agent marketing again, making a run at the second-best player in the league is important for every team from top to bottom in the standings.

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The Rockets are still searching for that third piece in the interest of forming a super team. They swung and missed on

Carmelo Anthony

and

Chris Bosh

this summer, and will now hope Harden can convince his former teammate for a reunion in the 2015-1t6 season.

There’s just one issue. Although Harden undoubtedly wants to win (in Houston), he’s also well settled into his role as the go-to-guy for the Rockets. There are some players that are able to gracefully move from the first to second option, and James Harden is not one of them. Perhaps his first display of dedication to the wins column could come in the form of defense, after all the greatest adage in basketball is “defense wins championships.”

It would be easier to start there, however Rome wasn’t built in a day, and after watching international talent blow past Harden in FIBA World Cup play, at this point it’s more likely Durant suits up in a Rockets uniform before Harden commits to the defensive end of the floor.

Daryl Morey’s criticisms for missing out on Anthony, Chris Bosh and losing Chandler Parsons might be well deserved, and although choking up on the bat to take a swing at acquiring Durant is logical, the idea that Harden is going to help is far-fetched. Morey acquired great talents in Harden and center Dwight Howard. It’s not his fault that neither of the two are championship caliber players. Too one dimensional, too distracted and overly self-absorbed. Collectively their pitching power is small.

It’s dwarfed by their inability to advance the Rockets to a level that’s commensurate with their talent.

As much as the Rockets would like to hear sayings like, “you never know” and “stranger things have happened”, it’s unlikely James Harden has outright agreed to recruit his buddy, and even less likely to see Durant in a Rockets uniform. There’s only one characteristic greater than the ambition to win. and that’s ego.

Harden was willing to welcome Anthony or Bosh to the Rockets club because he most likely sees them as equals. With the Oklahoma City Thunder Harden was third fiddle, and while he’s top gun at the moment with the Rockets, there’s no way he willingly goes from Maverick to Goose.

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NBA Rumors: James Harden To Recruit Kevin Durant To Rockets

By Marcus Bass | Oct 8, 2014