James Harden, Houston Rockets
No Russ, no problem! If anybody is happy to see Russell Westbrook depart from the Houston Rockets organization, it is definitely James Harden.
This offseason, drama circulated around the Houston Rockets as they not only parted ways with head coach Mike D’Antoni and GM Daryl Morey but their two superstar players in Russell Westbrook and James Harden also requested a trade and wanted out of H-Town.
The Rockets ultimately decided to trade Westbrook to the Wizards in exchange for John Wall and a protected first-round pick and have hopes that Harden will change his mind and stay with them long-term.
Recent reports have stated that James Harden has still not reported to Rockets training camp and there could be some drama brewing between him and management, but it is still expected that Harden will not hold-out and will be on the Rockets’ opening day roster.
With Russell Westbrook gone, not only is James Harden the only focal point on the Rockets, but he can pretty much do whatever he wants on the floor as the team’s only ball-dominant player.
James Harden has won three consecutive scoring titles and has a legit chance to win his fourth straight this season with the Rockets. With all the questions surrounding John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins and their abilities to still play at a high level given all the injuries they both have suffered over the years, James Harden is the only player left on this Rockets roster that you can count on for production, which could lead to Harden’s best statistical season of his 11-year career.
If the Rockets are to be a successful playoff team in the Western Conference and not go into full-blown rebuild mode, then James Harden will have to carry the team, resulting in him likely being the league MVP. He is definitely going to average 30+ points again this season and there is a small chance he could even average 40+ points this season, something that has not been done since Wilt Chamberlain averaged 44.8 points during the 1962-63 season.
Of course, James Harden has to be a member of the Houston Rockets in order to have this type of MVP success, but the drama between him and the Rockets will likely be resolved by the start of the season.
Harden still has three years left on his contract, assuming he opts into the 2022-23 season and could be a hot name on the trade market if he decides to ultimately leave Houston following this season. It is expected that James Harden gives them one more shot and gives it a go with John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins this season.
