James Harden has been told the only way a return to the Houston Rockets would make sense for the NBA franchise is if they manage to secure the first overall draft pick.
Harden is believed to want a return to Houston next summer if he doesn't sign a new contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. The megastar guard left Houston in 2021, signing with the Brooklyn Nets before being traded to Philadelphia.
Since his move to the 76ers, he's changed his game completely, and is now playing as much more of a facilitator than as an out-and-out scorer. The 76ers are on fire at the moment, and are sat in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 20-14 record.
Despite the 76ers looking strong, a report emerged on Christmas Day suggesting Harden had decided to eye up a return to the Rockets next summer if he doesn't decide to sign a new deal in Philadelphia.
Harden spent nine years with the Rockets and came within touching distance of the NBA Finals, only to run into the all-conquering Golden State Warriors year after year.
The Rockets are in a rebuilding year, however, and NBA expert Chris Vernon believes the only way they'd take back the 33-year-old superstar is if they were able to pair him with 18-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama.
Speaking on The Mismatch, he said: "The only way [it makes sense] is if they get your boy [Wembanyama]. Other than that, I can't see it."
Wembanyama will be the first overall pick next summer, without any doubt at all. The teenager has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in basketball history, earning comparisons to Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
The Frenchman plays for Paris side Metropolitano 92, and the hype over the 7ft 3in wonderkid is so immense that a number of teams are expected to make trades in order to tank for the number one pick.
