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Returning Rockets star Harden is ‘open’ to being traded to 76ers and others
Luisa Morales (Philstar.com) – December 9, 2020 – 2:58 pm
MANILA, Philippines – Former NBA MVP James Harden joined the Houston Rockets training camp after missing the first three days of practice on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time).
This is after the three-time NBA scoring champion underwent a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) test as the first step in meeting with his team before the new NBA season begins in late December.
While Harden’s return is a welcome sight, media reports cite that the superstar may not be staying with the Rockets for long. Harden would have been applying for a franchise trade, even though he still had two years left on his contract.
After Harden first named the Brooklyn Nets as his ideal destination, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the guard would welcome a move to the Philadelphia 76ers or possibly other contenders interested in the former MVP.
However, the ESPN report said the Rockets and Sixers “have not had substantive discussions” yet about a possible deal for Harden.
It should be noted that Philadelphia’s new president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, was the general manager of the Rockets for the past 13 seasons.
Morey, however, reportedly doesn’t want to break up the Sixers’ All-Star duo in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
The Rockets are in the midst of rebuilding, with a new head coach, a new general manager and nine recent additions to their lineup, including John Wall, who was traded from Washington for Russell Westbrook.
However, New Rockets head coach Stephan Silas expressed optimism that Harden will stick with Houston.
“Trust is built day by day and once the relationship starts, we will begin that trust process. Obviously, there was not a great start, but that’s the NBA. The NBA is not going to be roses every day,” he said. Silas in a report by Agence France Presse.
Harden has spent the last eight years of his career with the Rockets, wearing an MVP plum to highlight his stay.
Houston’s highest point in the playoffs with Harden has only been the Western Conference Finals.
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