Remembering when the NBA blessed the Rockets and helped them land James Harden

The Houston Rockets were blessed when they acquired James Harden ahead of the 2013-14 season. Some people don't know that they can thank the league for that acquisition.

The Hoop Collective's Brian Windhorst recently detailed that history. It's an interesting listen that could enlighten a lot of fans.

"The league actually changed Kevin Durant's contract...the new rules didn't fit (his) current contract...he was making less money than he should have been....the league stepped in and gave him an extra $3 million a year"

-Brian Windhorst

Three million is a paltry sum in 2025, but it meant a bit more back then. The league may have motivated the Thunder to move Harden by bringing them closer to the salary cap ceiling.

It's one of the best things to ever happen to the Rockets.

Rockets had amazing years with James Harden

If the Thunder had known what they had, they may not have given Harden up.

Sure, he was coming off his best year with the Thunder. In 2012-13, Harden averaged 16.8 points and 3.7 assists in 31.4 minutes per game. He was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. At just 22, there was no denying Harden's potential:

But nobody knew he'd turn into one of the league's best players.

Harden made that clear during his first year in Space City. He bumped his scoring average to 25.9 points per game. Harden arrived as a superstar as soon as he found himself in Houston, but he was still nowhere near his statistical apex during that first season.

Perhaps his most impressive season came in 2018-19. Harden averaged 36.1 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game. He had an unfathomable Box Plus/Minus (BPM) of 11.0. Harden was coming off his sole MVP season, and he'd arguably improved.

The rest is history. The Rockets advanced to the Conference Finals twice during Harden's tenure, but they could never get to the top of the mountain.

Today, the echoes of his time in Houston still reverberate in the Toyota Center.

Rockets are still feeling the effects of the James Harden era

The first-round picks that Houston received for trading Harden to the Nets are pivotal. One of them is Tari Eason, another is Reed Sheppard, and one was sent to the Suns in exchange for Kevin Durant. Considering that Houston traded him for, effectively, Kevin Martin and a pick that would (ironically) become Steven Adams, that's an incredible return on investment.

Will Harden do a final tour in Houston? It remains to be seen. It wouldn't be shocking to see him play out his last year in Houston, or even just sign a 10-day contract so he can properly say goodbye. For now, let's remember his days as the team's franchise player fondly:

And thank the NBA for helping him get there.