Amid ?Smartest Player?James Harden?s Efforts for Reunion, Rockets HC Reveals Reasons for Snubbing the Ex-MVP for $128 Million Rich Star

The Houston Rockets had one of their worst seasons last year. Finishing last season with a 22-60 overall record, the team was second last in the Western Conference. If that weren?t enough, the Rockets even went on to miss out on drafting the French sensation Victor Wembanyama in this year?s draft.

The Rockets did not shake up the roster too much. However, there were rumors of a reunion with James Harden that eventually fell apart. So, why did the Rockets head coach snub the ex-MVP in favor of this $128 million star despite labeling Harden as the ‘smartest player’?

Why the Rockets did not go with James Harden

James Harden?s situation with the Philadelphia 76ers has been no secret. The former Sixth Man of the Year is certainly not happy with the franchise and has been doing his best to get out, only to fail in the end.

At first, the 76ers were in talks with the Los Angeles Clippers for a trade after it fell through halfway. But even after the rumors, the Rockets did not approach or make an offer to the 76ers for Harden.

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Recently, the Houston Rockets?s new head coach, Ime Udoka, gave a statement as to why the franchise went with Fred VanVleet instead of James Harden. He said, ?Nothing against James, but Fred is just a better fit.?

?I coached James in Brooklyn. He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever been around. The words ‘Ime doesn’t want James’ never came out of my mouth. It was, ‘Let’s look at the best fit.’?

Udoka also went on to add, ?If we want Jalen and the young guys to take the next steps, we need them to have the ball. As for me saying I don’t want James, that was never the case. It was about fit.”

Did the Rockets make the right move?

The Houston Rockets signed Fred VanVleet to a three-year, $128.5 million deal. VanVleet went undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft but managed to land a spot with the Toronto Raptors eventually.

He was not only an All-Star but also a crucial part of the Raptors championship-winning team. And given how VanVleet?s approach to the game is, he excels at rotating the ball and finding players who are in the right spot.

As opposed to Harden?s one-on-one type of basketball. And in order for the young players to develop, the Rockets certainly made the right decision in not bringing back The Beard, because no matter how good Harden is, he demands the ball a lot and that may just hamper the development of the Rockets? next generation of players.

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