James Harden, the former Houston Rockets star, regrets the sacrifices he made after leaving the team in 2021. In an interview with the Earn Your Leisure podcast, Harden expressed his disappointment with the outcomes of his decisions, feeling that they were for nothing. He lost a significant amount of money and his swagger on the court.
What happened after leaving Houston Rockets?
Harden left the Houston Rockets in January 2021 and has since played for the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers. His time with these teams was marked by injuries, disappointing playoff exits, and contract disputes.
The Brooklyn Nets, where he paired with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, never fulfilled their potential due to injuries, winning only one playoff series during his time there. Harden was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2022, teaming up with MVP center Joel Embiid.
Why it matters for Houston Rockets
Harden's journey after leaving the Houston Rockets is a reminder that even the best players can face challenges in their pursuit of an NBA championship. His experiences with the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers demonstrate the difficulties of building a winning team.
Harden's time with the Philadelphia 76ers ended with a disappointing second-round playoff exit in 2023 against the Boston Celtics, culminating in a 3-4 series loss where Harden struggled in the final games before demanding a trade. Following a public contract dispute with the Philadelphia front office, Harden forced another trade in November 2023, joining his hometown Los Angeles Clippers.
What comes next for James Harden?
Now, James Harden is loving his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he recently solidified his long-term future by signing a new three-year, $97 million contract extension. The team is in good shape, led by Donovan Mitchell, with Harden alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. As of the last result, Houston Rockets lost to Los Angeles Lakers 78-98 on 2026-05-02, and their recent form has been 3W-0D-2L, losing the last two games.
Harden gets to compete for an NBA title with the Cavaliers in the tail end of his Hall of Fame-worthy NBA career. With the team's promising young players and Harden's experience, they have a good chance of making a deep playoff run. As Harden looks to the future, he is focused on winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
