Despite the controversy surrounding his lateness to training camp, James Harden is slated to play in the Houston Rockets’ Tuesday night matchup against the San Antonio Spurs according to Sham Charania of the Athletic.
Rockets‘ James Harden will play Tuesday vs. San Antonio, coach Stephen Silas says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 14, 2020
The move comes after details came out today about a trade offer the Rockets proposed to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons and 3 first-round picks. Rockets and 76ers management have yet to reach a deal to get the former MVP out of Houston.
Harden has yet to practice with the club, having to pass six COVID tests before being cleared to play. The 3-time scoring leader opted for social engagements in Atlanta and Las Vegas rather than practice with new teammate John Wall and the rest of the Rockets’ squad.
It will be interesting to see Harden back in action since being eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference Semi-Finals earlier this year. Harden has made it abundantly clear in recent weeks that he desires a trade, either to the 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets, or even the Miami Heat. Stars have been known to play worse when unhappy about the situation they’re in if they play at all.
The Rockets probably will not look great, John Wall is getting back into form after being injured for two seasons, and Harden has claimed that the addition of the 5-time All-Star to the roster will not change his feelings about wanting to be traded. If the two stars click out on the court, those feelings might get a little more complicated. It would be safe to assume the John Wall-James Harden era of the Rockets is not long for this world, and we will really get to see just how short lived it will be Tuesday.
