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Houston Rockets: 3 Possible James Harden Destinations Come 2018

By Mauricio Putz

May 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Before we start taking apart what James Harden has already built as the leader of the Houston Rockets over the past three years, please join me as we wish our your beloved superstar the greatest of birthdays.

As a 26 year-old James Harden has worked his way up from possibly being the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s eternal sixth man behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook — two of the league’s most polarizing stars — all the way to becoming the leading man on a storied franchise like the Houston Rockets.

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The fans love him, the city loves him, the NBA loves him, and adidas has 200 million reasons to love him — which I’m pretty sure is mutual.

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As of right now, James Harden — and the Rockets, for that matter — seems to have everything going his way. He is the leader of his own team — likely what he’d been looking for ever since he came into the league. He’s become one of the most important, well-known stars in the NBA. And he actually seems like a pretty accessible and likeable guy, kind of like a Stephen Curry type.

But also, James Harden seems to be a pretty competitive guy. And even though he’s achieved at 26 what most of us won’t in our entire lives, he’s most likely thinking about winning a title now.

However, if he finds himself unable to win a title with the Rockets, he’ll probably bolt and take his chances in 2018 come free agency — even if he has yet to show any sign whatsoever of doing so.

Let’s have a look at the teams that could have a chance of getting him.

Miami Heat

Somewhat of an on-and-off contender every other season, the team is no stranger to getting superstars in their primes. Everyone loves Pat Riley. For 2017-18 they’ll have roughly $44.9 million, out of a projected $100 million salary cap, on their books. That should be more than enough to bid hard on Harden.

Also, the Heat is part of the Eastern Conference, and James Harden is probably tired of having to go through the San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies on their way to a title. Not anymore.

Is it me or does James Harden have an uncanny resemblance to Miami Dolphins‘ superstar Ricky Jarret?

Los Angeles Lakers

As an L.A.-native, and a basketball connoisseur, James Harden would be joining one of the most storied franchises around. By that time, the Lakers won’t have a ball-hogging Kobe Bryant anymore enabling them to give Harden the amount of touches a offensive superstar of his caliber needs.

The Lakers will also be well under the projected $100 million salary cap with only $12.6 million on their books.

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    • San Antonio Spurs

    Because why not?

    It’s likely that Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan will be long gone come 2018, however, the team seems to have the knack for putting teams together as no one else can. The overwhelming amount of talent with the Spurs goes back to David Robinson, and will end (as of right now) with Kawhi Leonard‘s retirement.

    And even though the Spurs will have plenty of money to throw at James Harden once he becomes a free-agent — just as every other team around the league– that’s probably not likely the way they’ll sell themselves on Harden since there’s a certain amount of success and experience around the Spurs that he’ll likely love to be a part of.

    As of right now, the pressure is on the Houston Rockets. With the depth they’ve reached during the offseason, they certainly have somewhat of an urge to try and squeeze a title out of the next couple of seasons. Failing to do so may result in teams bidding on James Harden’s talents — which will still be plenty — come the 2018 offseason.

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