James Harden still has no desire to play out the season with the Rockets. Despite going through the COVID-19 protocols, which include six-straight negative tests, in order to show up for work, the former MVP remains uninterested in partnering with the Rockets’ new-look roster, Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN report.
The Nets and Sixers remain Harden’s two primary trade destinations with Brooklyn being his No. 1 overall choice.
The Sixers are unwilling to include either Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid in any proposal and the Nets are offering complimentary players and draft picks, a proposal which doesn’t entice the Rockets, per the pair of ESPN scribes. Brooklyn isn’t interested in giving up Kyrie Irving in a deal nor has Houston expressed interest in that sort of swap.
The arrival of John Wall hasn’t moved Harden to re-consider his trade stance, though Wall hopes that Harden opens up his options to include playing for his current team.
“I think me and James can be a heck of a combination,” Wall told reporters over the weekend (via ESPN). “I just hope we get the opportunity to get into the regular season and see how it goes.”
Harden Set to Make Preseason Debut
Harden will play in the Rockets’ preseason game against the Spurs on Tuesday, coach Stephen Silas tells the media (h/t Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated).
Tuesday’s tilt with San Antonio is one of two remaining preseason games for Houston, both of which coming against Gregg Popovich & Co.
