Rockets will retire No. 13 to honor James Harden

In January, All-Star guard James Harden orchestrated his exit from the Houston Rockets and a move to the Nets, a transaction that made Brooklyn arguably the overall favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in this year's NBA Finals. 

Despite Harden's messy and public divorce from the Rockets, he remains one of the greatest scorers and players in franchise history. To honor the 31-year-old, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has confirmed the club will retire Harden's No. 13. 

"James Harden will always be a Rocket," Fertitta said, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "Of course, we will retire his jersey. He made my first three years of owning this franchise unforgettable. The success he brought this franchise over eight years and the memories he created for our fanbase/community (are) truly remarkable."

As noted by Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire, Harden will become the seventh Rockets player to have his number retired. 

Harden joined the Rockets via a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder in October 2012 and went on to make All-Star squads in each of his eight completed seasons with Houston. He was unable to help the Rockets make a single NBA Finals appearance during his tenure with the organization, but he won three scoring titles and was named NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2017–18 season.