The Rockets continue to listen to offers for James Harden and while Philadelphia and Brooklyn appear to be the top landing spots, the franchise has expanded its search beyond those two organizations.
The Heat were rumored to have a “substantial interest” in Harden, having already spoken to the Rockets about what it would take to acquire the former MVP. As we previously explained, there are several hurdles to Pat Riley & Co. trading for Harden, including Miami’s lack of flexibility in trading draft picks as well as salary cap restrictions and their inability to trade several members of the team at this time due to CBA rules.
Duncan Robinson is not among the players who can’t be traded at this time, though Miami’s unwillingness to include him in a trade proposal is a major sticking point in negotiations, Ethan J. Skolnick of Five Reason Sports hears. Houston has interest in Robinson and would want him in the trade package for Harden.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were seemingly the only untouchables on the roster in reference to a Harden trade. Now, it appears Robinson is included on that list, making it very hard to compete for the superstar, especially if Ben Simmons is indeed on the table in Rockets-Sixers negotiations.
