On Christmas Day of 2022, it was reported that the Houston Rockets had interest in signing James Harden in 2023 free agency. The Rockets were reportedly hoping to bring Harden back to the place where he had the best years of his NBA career.

When Houston hired Ime Udoka as their new head coach, those plans changed. Udoka wanted to reset the Rockets culture and didn't want to return to the past. He also wanted the team to target defensive-minded players.

Houston ultimately signed Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet and several veteran role players. Many of those signings would have been impossible to make, had they signed Harden to a max or near-max contract.

Harden remains a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, after picking up his team option. Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers, but no deal has been accepted for Daryl Morey and Philadelphia to this point.