James Harden Considering a Sensational Return to Houston Rockets

• James Harden is seriously considering a sensational return to Houston Rockets
• Harden is currently enjoying an eight-game winning streak with the Philadelphia 76ers
• The 33-year-old spent eight relatively successful seasons with the Rockets and still maintains a solid connection

Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard James Harden is considering a surprise return to the Houston Rockets, a team he left in January 2021.

Harden briefly stopped in Brooklyn with the Nets before joining Joel Embiid in Philadelphia. The duo found moderate success, reaching the Eastern Conference semi-finals this season.

Harden declined his $47.4 million player option for 2022/23 this past offseason then resigned with Doc Rivers' side on a two-year $68.6 million deal with a second-year option.

By signing that deal, he took a $ 14 million pay cut, which allowed the team to sign P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr, per Forbes.

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The Sixers are on an eight-game winning streak including a solid 119-112 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. The playoffs would likely determine what Harden decides according to Adrian Wojnarowski.

Harden back in Houston?

According to ESPN, Harden's inner circle have been weighing a remarkable return to the team he requested to leave the organisation in January last year.

Despite his controversial departure from the Rockets, the 33-year-old still has a strong connection to Houston. He is still drawn to the community, lifestyle and family, per Wojnarowski.

A stunning return to Houston would represent "comfort and familiarity" in a rebuilding franchise over a championship pursuit in Philadelphia.

Harden spent more than eight years at the Rockets, a stretch that resulted in the 2018 MVP award and a trip to the Western Conference finals.

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The 2012 NBA Finalist Harden won three straight scoring titles with the two-time NBA champions and ranks second to Hakeem Olajuwon in all-time franchise scoring.

Nowitzki statue unveiled

Sports Brief earlier reported on Dallas Mavericks unveiling the statue of franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki on Christmas morning.

the nearly 24-foot statue was unveiled on Christmas morning. Nowitzki and his son Max pushed the lever before the white bronze statue was revealed.

The statue is a sculpture of the German's famous one-legged jumper. The shot became known as "The Dirk" while Nowitzki climbed to the sixth spot on the NBA's all-time scoring list.