The arrival of John Wall has left All-NBA guard James Harden unmoved and uninterested in pursuing a new partnership, and the franchise star continues to push the Houston Rockets for a trade, sources told ESPN.
More on James Harden Trade?
After making his Rockets preseason debut this weekend, Wall expressed hope that Harden might become excited about playing together with him in a backcourt -- a prospect that Harden is rejecting as he prepares to rejoin the team on Monday in practice, sources said. "I think me and James can be a heck of a combination," Wall told reporters after the Rockets 104-91 loss to the Chicago Bulls Sunday night. "I just hope we get the opportunity to get into the regular season and see how it goes." This isn't personal with Wall, and as one source tells ESPN, there's "no change" in Harden's desire for a fresh start elsewhere.
For now, the Sixers are unwilling to include All-Stars Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons in trades, and the Rockets are uninterested in a package primarily composed of the Nets' complementary players and draft picks, sources said. The Nets aren't interested in trading Kyrie Irving, nor have the Rockets expressed an interest in acquiring him, sources said. For starters, the Nets and Rockets would need to find a more palatable young player on a third team as part of a broader deal, sources said, and there's no indication that prospect has gained any traction in recent weeks.
After detouring to social engagements in Atlanta and Las Vegas prior to reporting late for training camp last week, Harden -- a league MVP and three-time NBA scoring champion -- has expressed to Rockets ownership and management his intention to be professional and engaged upon joining the team, sources said.
Houston Rockets All NBA guard James Harden’s interest in the Miami Heat as one of the teams that would appeal to him if he’s traded is mutual, according to a source briefed on the situation.
The Heat would have interest in Harden if the Rockets decide to trade him, according to the source. At this point, Houston has displayed no particular interest in granting his trade request.
The source said among key people inside the Heat, there is no significant internal opposition inside the Heat to pursuing a trade for Harden, an eight-time All Star and 2018 NBA MVP. There is substantial interest in Harden with at least two key Heat people.
But the source disputed any suggestion that Heat guard Tyler Herro would be untouchable in such a deal. Though the Heat loves Herro, the source advised against any conclusion that he wouldn’t necessarily be made available in a Harden deal if serious talks eventually happen.
The Miami Heat emerged as a potential trade partner with the Houston Rockets for James Harden and they may be able to make a better offer than the Brooklyn Nets due to the value of Tyler Herro. The Heat, however, would be unable to beat an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers if they ever decide to make Ben Simmons available. "Here's the bottom line," said Zach Lowe on his podcast. "I'm not sure any substantive talks have happened with any teams at this point. Let's just make that clear.
"I do think Tyler Herro as a single trade piece trumps anything the Nets can offer. Now, whether it trumps the Nets throwing every pick and every swap and doing the same thing they did for the Celtics except a better player in his prime, that's TBD. But Tyler Herro I think is a more valuable trade piece than Caris LeVert and anything else the Nets can offer. He's not more valuable than Ben Simmons. If and when that discussion happens, if that ever is a thing, I think the Heat are at a disadvantage in that sense."
Jonathan Feigen: Considering the long, tough rehabs, DeMarcus Cousins called it "a perfect night." “I think it was a good showing, whoever’s watching, whoever’s interested. It shows that it’s still a really good team here, regardless of the circumstances floating around the team right now."
David Hardisty: Cousins said regardless of what's been going on, the Rockets are still here. "It's still a really good team in place. It's a lot of talent. We're not rolling over because a few pieces are missing... Hopefully those pieces join us and we can continue to improve as a team."
Jonathan Feigen: John Wall: "We know what those guys can bring to our team and how much better they can make our team. We know what James can do, one of the best scorers you've ever seen. When you add those pieces to what we have now, I feel like we can be a very special team."
David Hardisty: PJ Tucker posts a story on Instagram with him and James Harden at a workout/practice. pic.twitter.com/FRQGou6eys
Marc Stein: The Rockets insist (for now) they will not trade Harden. The Sixers insist (for now) they will not trade Ben Simmons. But sources say the familiarity between the front offices can ultimately defuse any lingering tension from Daryl Morey's departure from Houston to Philadelphia.
NBA Central: Zach Lowe doesn’t believe the reports that Tyler Herro is 'off the table' for James Harden "No. Just no. If this ever becomes a thing, the Heat are having a hands on deck meeting to discuss it. Players like James Harden do not ever become available." (Via The Lowe Post) pic.twitter.com/Sy2eiufV1z
Ira Winderman: Jimmy Butler to ESPN's Rachel Nichols on James Harden, "There’s a lot of stuff always in the media. I think that he's a hell of player. I like the group we have. To tell you the truth, I just want the guy to be happy. That’s what life is about. That's what the game is about."
Hoop Central: James Harden being denied a trade from Houston is the first time he has been told “no” from the organization; “I was talking to a former Rockets staffer...And he said, “Yeah he’s going to act up, he’s never heard no before.” (via @espn_macmahon on “The Hoop Collective”)
NBA Central: That’s an interesting like pic.twitter.com/9myBjGOouq
Along with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets star James Harden now also has the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat among his preferred trade destinations, sources with knowledge have told The Athletic.
Harden is in Houston complying with the NBA’s coronavirus testing protocol, and sources close to the team and Harden expect the former league MVP to remain professional. The NBA ruled on Wednesday that Harden must register six negative coronavirus tests before practicing with the Rockets, a source said.
Harden has been non-communicative with the front office at times, sources say, but has maintained a dialogue with Rockets assistant coach John Lucas. He is expected to have a workout in front of Rockets personnel soon, according to sources.
Sources said the Rockets have no interest in a Nets offer, unless it would include either Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving.
Ryen Russillo: Now when it comes to Harden in the trade part of this, here's what I feel good about saying and that is I think the Simmons deal for Harden is there waiting for Houston. I think Philadelphia would do Simmons for harden yesterday.
All-Star James Harden wanted out of Houston as soon as the Rockets hired Stephen Silas as coach, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the Rockets situation.
Multiple league sources have indicated to PhillyVoice that they believe Fertitta would not agree to deal Harden to Philadelphia specifically, with another suggesting the Sixers would have to pony up what would essentially be an extra "tax" to convince the Rockets to reunite Morey and Harden in another city. Teams are ultimately self-interested and will attempt to make whatever deal best helps their franchise, but you should never underestimate the stubbornness of a billionaire.
At the beginning of December a report from Shams Charania came that the Warriors had checked in on trading for Harden before the Klay Thompson Achilles injury had torpedoed the team’s offseason planning. “What was it? Probably Like two or three years ago? There was a rumor that LeBron was gonna leave Cleveland and come play for us,” Curry said, nearly laughing. “There’s all type of stuff that you hear. And that’s all part of the small world that is the NBA rumor circles and whatnot.” “Some of the stuff you kind of laugh at. Some of the stuff is just a part of the business but until anything happens in this league, you kinda just brush it off. It’s part of the nature of the business.”
Bobby Marks: I think with Harden, and we’ll wait and see what he has to say, but from the outside looking in, it is probably the worst case of player empowerment that I’ve ever seen in my 20 years with the Nets and five years in the media.
Bobby Marks: The Jrue Holiday trade to Milwaukee at least sets the bar from a draft standpoint when you’re getting three ones (first-round picks), two pick swaps, Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. If you’re Houston, you’re saying I’ve got Harden under contract for three years. Holiday could be a free agent next offseason. I’m getting double that. Does Brooklyn have double of that to offer? I don’t think they do. Is it Philadelphia? Does Ben Simmons become available here? Does that appeal to the Rockets?
The Rockets have known for years how important Harden’s legacy is to him and how badly he wants to win a championship. Westbrook’s arrival came off the backs of Harden’s belief that Paul wasn’t a suitable partner to lead the Rockets to a title, sources say. Prior to Houston’s flurry of offseason moves, Harden had told Houston that he didn’t see a realistic path to a title and would prefer to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, sources say.
At the moment, the Sixers haven't had any serious trade talks involving Harden, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. And Sixers head coach Doc Rivers reassured that much on Tuesday afternoon following practice. "You're not hearing [trade rumors] from us," Rivers stated. "As long as you don't hear it from us, you should be very comfortable. We like our team, man. I'll tell you that team I just watched out there is pretty special. Those rumors -- none are coming from us."
Stefan Bondy: Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta on CNBC: “James Harden, I have all the respect in the world for. And James Harden wants to win a ring during his period as a basketball player. I think that’s wonderful that he’s going to do that and hopefully he’ll do it with the Houston Rockets.”
Marc Stein: Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta speaking on @CNBC after the team's various high-profile departures: "We've done nothing but gotten better in the offseason" Fertitta also says he knows James Harden wants to win a ring above all "and hopefully he’ll do it with the Houston Rockets"
Alykhan Bijani: Stephen Silas: "We're not in a rebuilding situation. Ownership and Rafael [Stone] have done a great job of putting a good team together."
Salman Ali: Stephen Silas on if there's been an erosion of trust with James Harden: "The NBA isn't roses everyday. There's going to be issues.... The good thing that I have here and one of the reasons that I was so excited to get this job is we're not in a rebuilding situation" pic.twitter.com/bBQ1FUkzOt
Melissa Rohlin: Gerald Green was asked if James Harden comes into camp in the next few days, if he'll be able to pick up the offense right away. "Easy," he said. "Without a doubt. James is a once in a lifetime player."
Michael Scotto: Doc Rivers on speaking to his 76ers players about James Harden trade rumors: "You’re not hearing them from us. As long as you don’t hear them from us, you should be very comfortable. We like our team. That team I just watched out there is pretty special." #Sixers
James Harden indicated to the Houston Rockets before training camp that he would be open to a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers or possibly other contenders, sources told ESPN. Harden, the perennial MVP candidate who is holding out of training camp, previously requested to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets to form a superteam with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
After it was clear there was no traction in talks with the Nets, Harden expressed to the Rockets that he would be agreeable if a trade with the 76ers materialized, sources said. Harden also indicated that other teams could fit his criteria for a preferred destination, a source said.
The Rockets and the Sixers have had no substantive talks about a potential Harden deal, sources said. New Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, the Rockets' general manager for the previous 13 seasons, has said he has no intention to break up the Sixers' All-Star duo of center Joel Embiid and guard/forward Ben Simmons.
Houston hasn't wavered in what the Rockets consider a fair asking price for Harden: a package that includes a young franchise cornerstone and a bundle of first-round picks and/or talented players on rookie contracts, sources said. The Rockets have been adamant that they will not be rushed into trading Harden, regardless of how uncomfortable the situation has become with the three-time scoring champion failing to report to training camp while partying in Atlanta and Las Vegas.
In exploring avenues to get back into the thick of the championship chase, multiple league sources say the Warriors cast a wide hypothetical net that included James Harden. Though the vision of Harden moving into the Kevin Durant role was intriguing, the Warriors realized the return would be no better than a short-term gain while punching a hole in their future. It’s becoming more likely that Harden will end up leaving Houston, as his desire to go to another team is so transparent that his next step might be, for the fun of it, dying an orange “Trade Me” message into his beard.
This has little to do with Harden’s widely known tendency to, um, explore the nightlife. If he wants to star in a video that finds its way to social media and TMZ, he’s allowed. He’s 31 years old, has lots of cash and, hey, if he wants to drop a six-figure gift on Lil Baby, it’s his choice. How an athlete lives should be secondary to how he plays -- as long as it has no ill effect on it. No, the bigger issue for the Warriors would have been trying to squeeze Harden, as comfortably entitled as any player in the league not named LeBron James, into a culture that demands accountability and schemes that require collaboration.
Harden’s recent desires to be traded to Brooklyn may be an isolated incident, but this isn’t the first time he’s approached the team with such intent, sources say. When it became clear after losing to the Spurs in 2017 that another playmaker was sorely needed, the Rockets pulled off a blockbuster sign-and-trade deal for Chris Paul. After the 2019 playoff collapse and fallout with Chris Paul, sources say Harden told the front office the same thing: commit to building a championship team or trade me. That summer, Russell Westbrook was brought in for Paul — and the rest is history.
So, what does James Harden really want? The Rockets have known for years how important Harden’s legacy is to him and how badly he wants to win a championship. Westbrook’s arrival came off the backs of Harden’s belief that Paul wasn’t a suitable partner to lead the Rockets to a title, sources say. Prior to Houston’s flurry of offseason moves, Harden had told Houston that he didn’t see a realistic path to a title and would prefer to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, sources say.
Salman Ali: Per @Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets and Nets have had no conversations on a possible James Harden trade for weeks. Houston has made it clear to the league they want a "monumental haul" back for Harden. pic.twitter.com/MTwz0DpQjC
Salman Ali: According to @Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets still want to get James Harden into training camp with John Wall. Says Houston wants to avoid fining and suspending Harden. pic.twitter.com/GXFlITNXDx
MacMahon said the Rockets "absolutely don't want a fight" with Harden. "The Rockets are clinging to the hope, 'Hey, we can be competitive this year," said MacMahon. "'If we're competitive and we're willing, maybe James will get back on board' They're just clinging to this hope and I mean, how many times have you seen a superstar demand a trade very publicly and things ended up working out. I will give you Kobe Bryant when they pulled the Pau Gasol trade and won championships. I'm having a hard time thinking of another situation like that."
The Rockets were definitely expecting Harden to report over the weekend and get to work (after going through league COVID-19 protocol to be cleared). They were surprised by this just like everyone else.
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.
Sources: These are unprecedented times for all involved, but there are rules and regulations surrounding this season for a very serious reason. Yet while Harden is clearly in violation of team rules in terms of reporting, it’s not clear as yet if his choices will result in discipline from either the Rockets or the NBA. “You’d like to get through it holistically,” one Rockets source said.
Sources: There’s some small sense here from the Rockets that this is James being James. He’s a known life-of-the-party type guy who — in non-pandemic times — was known to jet-set in pursuit of a good time only to hurry back to Houston while finding a way to perform at an MVP level. Yet while this is clearly different, his absence does not appear to have been packaged with a clear message attached.
There is significant confusion about what, if anything, he is trying to accomplish by staying away that goes beyond the messages already being sent. As for rival executives who are closely monitoring the situation, there’s confusion, and plenty of intrigue, there too.
Silas was then asked about Wall’s aforementioned interaction with Harden and what it might mean. “The only relationship that I have with James is the fact that he was one of the people who, in the interview process, recommended that I get the job. So that’s the relationship that I have. I assume that the relationship (Harden) has with John goes a lot further down the road, so for that communication to happen doesn’t surprise me and we’ll see when he gets here.”
With rumors swirling about Harden having demanded a trade, and having stayed away from training camp to help force one, his status has become the elephant in the room. It is one the Nets are trying to ignore. “I guess we let the elephant be,” Nets coach Steve Nash said of the Harden rumors. “I love our guys and hopefully they all feel really valued and wanted and respected. We have so many guys that bring so much to the table. “When I’m in the gym with them every day I feel fortunate. So hopefully they feel that, and they don’t feel that we’re looking out the window at greener pastures, because we love what we have here and hopefully our behavior every day emits that and guys feel comfortable, valued and supported and striving for something individually and collectively.”
“How do we handle James Harden not going to practice?” LeVert deadpanned. “For us, for myself, I don’t really have anything to do with James Harden not going to practice. That doesn’t concern me. “I’m focused on the team, the Nets, myself, trying to be the best I can be so that we can be better as a team. I don’t really focus on all of that stuff. That really has nothing to do with me.”
That player isn’t there because he’s exercising his leverage. With league sources saying the Nets are content to go into the season with their current roster and wait Houston out, Harden is forcing the Rockets’ hand. If Harden is successful in forcing a move, it would almost certainly see the Nets giving up a combination of Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert. But when asked about Harden’s power move, LeVert feigned ignorance and tried to deflect the question.
Jonathan Feigen: Stephen Silas on James Harden's absence, schedule: "There is no timetable, as far as I know. It is a setback. You want your best player to be here."
Adam Zagoria: "I don't really focus too much on James Harden not going to practice. That has nothing to do with me." @Caris LeVert on the Harden trade rumors pic.twitter.com/1Ep4iYC4X2
Alec Sturm: Monja Willis, James Harden's mother, speaks out on Instagram: "He is doing the best for his career...He [is] ask[ing] for a chance to get a ring [and] that's it."
Kelly Iko: From James Harden’s IG just now:
The Rockets have made it clear that they'd require a king's ransom -- starting with a young franchise cornerstone and a massive picks package, per sources -- in any potential deal for Harden. (Houston understood that Westbrook had much less market value and pounced when the asset of a protected first-round pick was attached to Wall.)
Houston's decision-makers do not believe that this deal drastically alters the suddenly strained dynamic between Harden and the organization. It certainly doesn't change the franchise's stance regarding the perennial MVP candidate, who the Rockets fully anticipate will at least begin the season in Houston, as a high-ranking team source told ESPN in the wake of Wednesday's trade.
Houston's front office is confident that the team can be competitive this season. Rookie general manager Rafael Stone has remodeled the roster in his first weeks on the job, adding skilled centers Christian Wood and DeMarcus Cousins in free agency before this sell-low swap of max-salary PGs. The Rockets are hopeful that winning will ease Harden's itchiness for an exit while recognizing that the pressure to trade him will intensify if early returns indicate that the team is not capable of contending.
During a later exchange at the press conference, House was asked about recent reports that All-Star guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook had sought to be traded elsewhere, and whether he had heard from them during the offseason. In response, House said his entire focus has been on addressing his personal fallout from the bubble: What Russ and James and the team got going on, as far as my concern, I really didn’t know. I’ve been focused on the bubble situation. I wouldn’t be able to answer that question for you right now, because I was too busy trying to get myself into a position to present myself back to the team and organization, and the fans of Houston.
Marc Stein: Rockets star James Harden was not yet in Houston for the team's individual workouts Thursday, league sources say ... New Rockets coach Stephen Silas said this afternoon of Harden that he's "confident that he'll be here when we get started" Houston's first practice is Sunday
Jonathan Feigen: Stephen Silas on James Harden: "I'm confident he'll be all-in."
Michael C. Wright: Stephen Silas: "I'm looking forward to him [Harden] coming, and I'm looking forward to see what the team looks like. I'm looking forward to the whole group being on the floor together."
Adrian Wojnarowski: Russell Westbrook wanted to be in Washington, reunited with Scott Brooks, play with Brad Beal and John Wall wanted to play with James Harden, wanted to go to Houston. And finally they got that deal done.
Chris Miller: From what I'm hearing, James Harden would like to stay in Houston and play with John.
But Houston remains intent on starting the season with Harden on the roster and trying to re-establish a relationship with him before considering a trade, according to a person familiar with the Rockets’ thinking who was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Tim MacMahon: Eric Gordon on Rockets: "Our core guys are still here. I still have high expectations going into the season, no matter what all the outside noise is." Does he feel James Harden is still on board? "That’s a question you have to ask him. He’s still with our team, so I assume so."
Hours before the Warriors president of basketball operations spoke to the media Tuesday, a report dropped that Golden State had checked in with the Houston Rockets to gauge the availability of James Harden. When asked about his team's interest in the 2018 NBA MVP, Myers turned quiet. "No, I'm not going to comment on everything that's written about us, true or untrue," Myers told the media. "I'm just not going to do that. I appreciate you have to ask, but if every call we made or didn't make, I had to comment ... I don't think it's productive on my side. "I understand why you ask these questions. Very fair to ask."
For the Wizards and Rockets, there's hope that the exchange of guards will play a role in convincing the two franchise shooting guards on each team, Washington's Bradley Beal and Houston's James Harden, to want to stay long-term with their teams. Harden has privately asked for a trade, and Beal could become a free agent in 2021.
Houston's stance on Harden has not changed, a high-ranking Rockets source told ESPN, saying the team hoped to be competitive with the perennial MVP candidate on the roster this season and does not envision a scenario in which Harden would be traded before the opener. The Rockets have let it be known that they would require a return that included a young, potential franchise cornerstone and a massive picks package in any potential deal for Harden, according to sources.
Kelly Iko: Eric Gordon on whether he thinks James Harden is committed to the team: “That’s a question for him. He’s still with the team so I would believe so.”
On Tuesday morning, Elhassan’s Sirius XM NBA colleague, Frank Isola, doubled down on the report that Harden wants out, during Sirius XM’s morning NBA show The Starting Lineup. “We had that confirmed by somebody pretty plugged in that Harden definitely wants out. And he told them trade me to Brooklyn. And I’m only doing it if I’m the Nets if I can trade Kyrie Irving.”
