The Houston Rockets are in a tough spot right now. After a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, they’ve now dropped four of their last six games. And while the margins have been razor-thin - their nine total losses this season have come by just 49 combined points - it’s the late-game execution, or lack thereof, that’s starting to raise eyebrows.
This is a team with top-10 defensive metrics and a top-three offense since landing Kevin Durant in a blockbuster offseason trade. On paper, that’s a contender.
But in practice? The Rockets are just 1-4 in overtime and have slipped to sixth in the Western Conference standings - a far cry from where many expected them to be with this much talent on the roster.
One glaring issue: the absence of a true floor general. Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury left a leadership vacuum at the point guard spot, and it’s starting to show in crunch time. The offense, while potent, lacks the orchestration and poise needed to close out tight games - especially when the pressure ramps up in the fourth quarter and beyond.
Enter Jeff Teague with a bold idea: bring back James Harden.
Speaking on the Club 520 podcast, the former All-Star didn’t mince words. “They need to trade for James Harden,” Teague said.
“Tell James you want him to play like he was in Brooklyn. Be the point guard.”
It’s not as far-fetched as it might sound. Harden, despite his messy departure from Houston in 2021, is still one of the most iconic players in franchise history. He’s also a pending free agent, and with the Clippers sliding down the standings, there’s a real possibility that he could be on the move again - especially if L.A.’s title hopes continue to fade.
In Brooklyn, Harden embraced a more traditional point guard role - setting the table, controlling the tempo, and letting the game come to him. That version of Harden might be exactly what this Rockets team needs: someone who can manage the offense, get Durant his spots, and take control when the game slows down late.
If Houston were to pull the trigger on a Harden reunion, Teague believes head coach Ime Udoka would have a playoff-ready squad, anchored by two former MVPs in Harden and Durant. That’s a duo with a deep offensive bag and a wealth of postseason experience - not to mention the kind of leadership that can calm things down when the game hangs in the balance.
Of course, there are plenty of hurdles to clear. Chemistry, contracts, and the ghosts of Harden’s previous exit would all be part of the equation. But with the Rockets struggling to close out games and the Western Conference as competitive as ever, it’s at least worth considering.
Because right now, Houston has the firepower. What they’re missing is the conductor.