The Houston Rockets have been flying high in the first year of the Durant era, with a record of 31-17 and fourth in the Western Conference. However, if they want to be the top dogs in a powerful West, they need to make a blockbuster trade deadline deal.
Luckily for them, a couple of old friends may be up for grabs. If that’s the case, Fansided’s Christopher Kline predicts that the Rockets will reunite with two former franchise stars, one being a former teammate of Durant’s: James Harden, and Chris Paul.
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The trade would look like this:
Rockets get: James Harden, Chris Paul
Clippers get: Fred VanVleet, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Okogie, 2028 first-round pick
“The Houston Rockets need a point guard with Fred VanVleet effectively out for the season. Reed Sheppard has done a lot of nice things in a sixth man capacity, and there's no shortage of playmaking between Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant. And yet, it feels like there's another gear to this Houston offense — one potentially unlocked with a table-setter like Harden in the mix…Oh, and Harden used to play in Houston, yeah. He's beloved there, and the Rockets feel like home in a way no other franchise does. If there's a team with whom Harden can find peace and stability in these later years, it's probably Houston. The Rockets are all-in. If ever there was a time for this reunion, it's now,” Kline wrote.
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So far this season, Harden is averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.3 assists in 35 minutes per game. He’d take over the role of playmaker for the Rockets, and add a third scoring option behind Durant and Sengun.
As for Paul, he’d more likely be there for morale, but also to mentor the younger players. Paul is a leader, through and through, and could provide crucial advice for the Rockets’ young core.
Hopefully, the Rockets consider this reunion, and get to work before another team snatches their former MVP.
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