Rockets ‘could join the bidding’ for Kyrie Irving in free agency, if James Harden returns to 76ers
Houston Rockets ‘could join bidding for Kyrie Irving in free agency if James Harden turns down emotional return and stays with the 76ers’
- The Rockets will have nearly $60 million in salary cap this year out of season
- Hoston is also looking for a long list of other high-profile targets for free agents to sign
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The Houston Rockets would be planning a serious effort to sign Kyrie Irving as a free agent point guard in the offseason, according to NBA reporter Mark Stein.
While Stein noted that Houston’s primary goal in free agency is to try and secure a reunion with James Harden if he doesn’t re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Rockets “are planning a run on Dallas’ Kyrie Irving.” weigh like a reunion with Harden is not in it.
“The Mavericks remain the only known team in the league with definite interest in signing Irving next month,” Stein revealed, “but league sources say the Rockets are increasingly being cited as a team that (emphasis: could) participate in the bidding if Harden chooses to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers.”
Stein also noted that in addition to Irving the Rockets are eyeing several other pending free agents, such as Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet, Brooklyn Nets restricted free agent Cam Johnson, Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks, and both Milwaukee Bucks star wing Khris Middleton and veteran center Brook Lopez.
It appears that Raptors and newly hired head coach Ime Udoka are hoping to speed up the team’s rebuilding process, whether that be by signing Irving, Harden or another high-profile player.
Kyrie Irving is rumored to be a potential target of the Houston Rockets in free agency this year
Houston would see Irving as a backup plan if they can’t sign James Harden from the 76ers
Houston and head coach Ime Udoka will have nearly $60 million in salary headroom this year
Irving himself recently commented on his own free agency when he asked fans to stop tagging him in posts amid the plethora of rumors he’d be linked to leaving the Mavericks and signing for various teams in the next months.
The 31-year-old Irving remains one of the most influential offensive players in the game, despite the long list of off-court headlines that have often diverted attention from his basketball prowess.
Last season, Irving averaged 27.1 PPG, 5.5 APG in 60 total games between Dallas and the Brooklyn Nets.
Harden, on the other hand, averaged 21 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while playing in 58 regular season games. During 11 post-season games, he averaged 20.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists.
However, unlike Irving, Harden has strong sentimentality with the Rockets organization having spent his best seasons in Houston, winning the 2017-2018 MVP award.
From now on, any player or players Houston decides to use their mark of nearly $60 million in salary cap will be surrounded by a locker room burgeoning with young talent.
The Rockets roster has several players who have enough potential to be franchise-leading players, such as Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun.