In the event you thought star guard James Harden was coming around on potentially rescinding his trade request, well, things just became a little clearer.
Harden and the Rockets were blown out by the Lakers on Tuesday, and he was frank in his assessment of the situation.
“We’re just not good enough. Chemistry, talent-wise. And it was clear these last few games,” Harden told reporters. “I love this city. I’ve literally done everything I can. This situation is crazy. I don’t think it can be fixed. Thanks.”
Multiple reports have said Harden made it clear he wants to move on from the Rockets. He has been linked to the Nets and 76ers, and even expanded his supposed “wish list” to the Heat, Bucks and Trail Blazers, among perhaps others.
Harden left the podium immediately after his postgame comments, as noted by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who wrote that Harden’s appearance was “as close to publicly demanding a trade as you can get.”
Harden, 31, is still lighting up the scoreboard with an average of 26.0 points in seven games. That said, this is the first time he’s averaged less than 30 points in four years. He finished last season at 34.3 points per game. It should be noted that his assists are up from 7.5 last season to 11.0 this year.
All of it, of course, is a small sample size. How the rest of the season plays out for Harden is what’s really worth watching.
