The Rockets should consider reuniting with James Harden this summer

James Harden is the second-best player in Houston Rockets history.

It almost can't be disputed. Hakeem Olajuwon owns the pole position. It would take a superhuman effort to usurp him. Yet, the gap between Olajuwon and Harden is roughly equal to the gap between Harden and whoever you consider third (Moses Malone? Elvin Hayes?) in the Rockets' all-time hierarchy.

When he left, it stung. The Rockets were regulars in the title picture during Harden's tenure with the team. When he left, fans understood that they wouldn't sniff contention again for some time.

Some time has passed. The Rockets could be said to be sniffing contention. They aren't in the title picture, but at 11-5, it's clear that this young core has tremendous upside.

Is it time to bring Harden back?

Rockets could use franchise legend

There are certainly obstacles to bringing Harden back.

Ime Udoka seemingly vetoed him last summer. That's fair. Udoka is firm in establishing a defensive identity for this group. Harden doesn't match that identity, and Fred VanVleet does.

Realistically, they could hardly be more different as players.

In 2024-25, Harden is averaging 20.3 points, 8.8 assists and 4.4 turnovers per game. VanVleet is giving the Rockets 15.8 points, 6.1 assists, and just 1.1 turnovers per contest.

One striking difference between their statistical profiles leaps off the page. It's the turnovers. Harden turns the ball over a lot, and VanVleet almost never gives up the rock.

Yet, that's largely a product of differences in their playstyles. VanVleet is risk averse. He never turns it over because he never makes decisions that could result in a turnover. By contrast, Harden is a bold playmaker.

VanVleet's cautious style of play has cost the Rockets at times. The team doesn't get much offensively from their backcourt. VanVleet's primary responsibility is to ensure that Alperen Sengun safely receives the ball. He does that well, but when opposing defenses shut Sengun down, the Rockets don't have perimeter creation to counter. Jalen Green's subpar performance in year 4 doesn't help matters.

That said, defenses couldn't key on Green as much as they do if Harden was sharing the backcourt with him.

Is pairing that duo feasible?

Rockets need to weigh their options

Conveniently enough, Harden has a player option this summer, and VanVleet has a team option. The Rockets could make the transition seamlessly.

That's not to say it's unequivocally the right move.

The Rockets should entertain every option. If they're running this core group back, it would be sensible to maintain their continuity by keeping VanVleet at the helm.

By contrast, if the Rockets trade for a star, they may want to entertain adding another star. Harden is a more potent offensive player than VanVleet. VanVleet is the better defender, but he's not exactly anchoring the Rockets' elite defense. So long as they have the 'Terror Twins', they're likely to be strong in that area no matter who's running point.

There are caveats. Harden has to understand that the Rockets won't be spamming pick-and-roll and isolation plays for him as they did in his prime. He needs to express a tacit willingness to play within a system. The days of the organization catering everything to his whims have long passed:

As beautiful as they were.