We could be mighty close to the end of the James Harden era in Houston.
Although Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta might not be budging yet on trading his star.
Harden has reportedly requested a trade from Houston and has the Brooklyn Nets in his sights for a teaming up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Houston just recently traded All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook to Washington in exchange for John Wall and draft picks.
While the Rockets have begun training camp, James Harden has yet to appear or check-in with head coach Stephen Silas.
Silas has called it a “setback” and wasn’t able to provide a timetable on Harden’s return to the team.
Rockets beat writer Kelly Iko via The Athletic:
It’s getting ugly in Houston. On Sunday, Silas said that Harden wasn’t with the team but expected him to participate in a workout that evening. That didn’t happen. Speaking today, Silas said there is no current timetable for Harden’s arrival and with the preseason days away, it’s unknown at this point if Harden will even be with the team then. Harden has spent the last few days in Atlanta and Las Vegas, celebrating rapper and close friend Lil Baby’s 26th birthday.
The upside for Harden re-committing to Houston relies on the comebacks and health of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. One might argue that Harden has done all he can do in Houston up to this point and it’s simply time to move on.
In the eight seasons since Harden arrived the Rockets have reached the Western Conference Finals twice, losing to the Golden State Warriors both times.
