The James Harden-Houston Rockets saga continues and it’s unclear what is going to happen there. The team is trying to convince Harden to stay in Houston, even trading Russell Westbrook for John Wall a couple of days ago. However, that doesn’t seem to be enough for Harden, who reportedly wants out of the team with his preferred destination being the Brooklyn Nets, where his former teammate Kevin Durant currently plays.
Harden is yet to show up for the team’s workouts and that is creating more controversy for him and the organization. They would prefer to keep Harden on the roster but if not, they have identified what they want to part ways with the 2018 NBA MVP. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Rockets would like to receive an All-Star/All-NBA player, a couple of young prospects and future first-rounders to let Harden go.
And for anyone wondering if Harden might have told team officials that he has no plans to wear a Rockets jersey this season — or, perhaps, ever again — sources say that’s not the case. There has been no such declaration, and the plan remains for him to suit up for the Rockets this season.
As for the prospects of him being traded, sources say the Rockets’ demands remain unchanged even after these past few days: An All-Star/All-NBA level player in return, as well as a treasure trove of other assets (young prospects, first-round draft picks, etc.). But as of Monday afternoon, sources say, the trade market wasn’t responding to these demands in the kind of way that would inspire a move.
The Beard has been the face of the Rockets for the last eight years and seeing him leave like this would be very painful for the teams and the fans. However, that’s the state of things right now and Harden seems to be ready to find a new team in the league. Besides the Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers have been linked with a move for Harden. Yet, to make that happen, they’ll need to send Ben Simmons to Houston, according to reports.
