James Harden spent the prime of his career with the Houston Rockets, becoming an MVP and one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history. But after bouncing between multiple teams in search of a championship, Harden still hasn’t captured the elusive title. Ironically, the Rockets, his former team, may now have a better shot at contending this season than his current squad.
Though Harden was the one who pushed for a trade out of Houston, he doesn’t have any regrets. Still, he can’t help but be impressed by how the franchise has transformed in the four years since his departure.
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James Harden Reflects on Houston’s Rebuild Four Years After His Exit
Harden carried the Rockets for nearly a decade, but when repeated playoff runs failed to produce a championship, frustration mounted. In 2021, he ultimately requested a trade, landing with the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal that launched Houston into a full-scale rebuild.
The Rockets struggled in the immediate aftermath, but the foundation they laid with young talents Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün has paid off. Houston surged to a 52–30 record last season, securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
This summer, after acquiring Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns, the Rockets took another major leap. They now sit third in the West with a 16–6 record, trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder. After facing the Clippers on Thursday and earning a 115–113 victory, Harden praised his former team’s rise.
“Amazing, you know, Alpi and Amen, and the other guys around them, Jabari, their growth. They’ve got some very good structure. Then obviously you add KD into the mix, and the vets around them like Steven Adams and the other guys like that, they’re a good team,” said Harden.
I asked James Harden about what it’s like seeing the Rockets rebuild come full circle and the franchise great had nothing but nice things to say:
“Amazing, you know Alpi, Amen — Jabari, their growth. Then you add KD into the mix. They’re a good team.” https://t.co/2gZCgI4xSf pic.twitter.com/jyAbWVYFA9
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) December 12, 2025
Despite their success, Houston is still rumored to be exploring upgrades at point guard, and one name that keeps resurfacing is Harden himself. With the Clippers struggling and Harden seeking another legitimate shot at a title, speculation about a potential reunion with both Durant and the Rockets continues to circulate.
However, several obstacles make a deal unlikely. Reed Sheppard has emerged as a stabilizing presence at point guard, reducing Houston’s urgency. Harden is also earning just under $40 million annually and is approaching the decline phase of his career, an investment that could hamper the Rockets’ long-term flexibility.
Most importantly, any move for Harden would likely require Houston to sacrifice part of its young core. With Şengün and Thompson considered untouchable, a reunion appears more rumor than reality.
For now, Harden is simply appreciating the organization’s turnaround, a transformation that began with his departure and has now positioned Houston as one of the Western Conference’s rising powerhouses.