The Rockets’ plans changed once Ime Udoka walked in the door.

According to multiple reports, Houston planned to pursue a reunion with James Harden this summer, but decided to pass on that option after hiring Udoka as head coach.

Instead, the Rockets ended up signing Fred VanVleet to a three-year, $130 million deal.

Harden opted to take his player option with the 76ers and the two sides are reportedly working together on an eventual trade, with the Knicks and Clippers both considered potential landing spots and Los Angeles considered Harden’s favorite, according to The Athletic.

Though a return to Houston had been floated as a rumor for months, a source told Heavy Sports that the plans halted because “Ime didn’t want him.”

Without specifically mentioning Udoka as a reason, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that Harden was deemed not to fit with Houston, a young team that is still in the middle of a rebuild.

Though Harden, an MVP winner in the past who led the league in assists last season, might have accelerated that timeline, going after a soon-to-be 34-year-old star who has been a distraction off the court in the past has obvious drawbacks.

The Rockets are trying to build around a core that includes Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith and recent fourth overall pick Amen Thompson.

Adding VanVleet is a step toward being more competitive following a 22-60 finish last season.

Harden, though, is older than the 29-year-old VanVleet and has a tendency to hold onto the ball for long periods of time — both negatives for the Rockets. 

Udoka, the former Celtics coach who was suspended last season following an inappropriate relationship with a female employee, was an assistant with the Nets when Harden played in Brooklyn during the 2020-21 campaign.

Whether Udoka was ultimately behind Houston’s latest Harden decision or not, that logic does track.

So instead of the reunion, we’ll likely get Harden in a new location altogether.