Houston Rockets: Why they should hold on to James Harden to start the season

James Harden reportedly wants out and has given the Houston Rockets a list of places he’d like to play. Does it make sense for Houston to trade Harden?

The biggest story of the 2020 offseason has been James Harden and his future with the Houston Rockets. While nothing has happened yet with Harden, each day that passes appears like The Beard is getting more uneasy.

Shams Charania recently reported that Harden has added the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks to his list of preferred destinations that was originally made up of just the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. But despite it appearing like Harden wants nothing to do with Houston, the Rockets have held firm in their position that they are willing to get uncomfortable and are in no rush to trade the eight-time All-Star and former league MVP.

And this is the right move on Houston’s part. Harden is a once in a generation scorer and Houston should do everything they can to convince The Beard to give it one last shot to capture the title that has seemed to elude him his entire career.

What’s the Houston Rockets’ argument to James Harden to keep him in town?

Houston’s biggest pitch to Harden should be the pieces they have surrounded him with for the 2020-21 season. They brought in a real center in Christian Wood, who showed massive development last season in Detroit and is on the path to evolving into one of the league’s elite big men. Not only is Wood a great finisher at the rim and capable shooter from deep, but he gives Houston a real rim protector which should go a long way in improving the Rockets defense.

Along with Wood, Houston brought in Demarcus Cousins, who was among the NBA’s best bigs before suffering a series of leg injuries. While there is certainly a risk with Cousins, reports say that he has looked really healthy and is showing glimpses of his former self during the Rockets training camp and early practices.

The Houston Rockets also brought in John Wall, who Harden reportedly preferred to play with over Russell Westbrook. Wall has also struggled with injuries over the last few years but like Cousins, Wall has looked great in his first week as a Rocket and appears fully healthy.

Along with returners like Eric Gordon, Danuel House, and P.J. Tucker, the Rockets have more assets to surround Harden this season than they have had in Harden’s previous eight seasons with the franchise.

Another argument Houston can make to Harden is the value of Stephen Silas, the Rockets’ new head coach. While Harden was not fond of the Silas hiring, he should give the new coach a chance.

Silas has an excellent offensive mind and is coming off a season where he helped build the most efficient offense in NBA history in Dallas, as the 2019-20 Mavericks posted a record-breaking 115.9 offensive rating.

With all the playmakers he has in Houston, Silas should be able to work wonders with the Rockets’ offense, especially if Harden stays.

While the West will be difficult with many teams vastly improving over the offseason if Harden decides to give Silas and the new-look Rockets team a chance then the Houston Rockets become legitimate contenders not only to be among the top teams in the West but to bring home the Larry O’Brien trophy.