Has someone officially administered a James Harden Obsessive Trade Watch yet?
The Rockets superstar has been the talk of the NBA for a couple of weeks now after news dropped that he wanted out of Houston. His preferred destination has been the Brooklyn Nets, where he hopes to form a super team alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, as time has gone by, the only Rockets player who has gotten out of that increasingly worrisome situation is Russell Westbrook. The former-MVP was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for John Wall and a first-round pick just last week, and I think it’s safe to say Harden is jealous.
Training Camp has started this week around the league, but Harden has yet to join the team. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon has been all over the story, and his Twitter updates just paint a bleaker and bleaker story for the Rockets.
Here is a little timeline:
Stephen Silas: James Harden did not take participate in today's practice. Cannot practice with team due to COVID-19 protocols. The Rockets expect him to be in for an indvidual workout this evening.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 6, 2020
Stephen Silas has not been in communication with James Harden this week. "I want him here, and I want him to be a big part of what we're doing," Silas said. "I'm excited to coach him." Silas is uncertain when Harden could be cleared to practice. https://t.co/dyrEX2C1KB
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 6, 2020
Source: James Harden did not return to Houston for his anticipated individual workout Sunday evening but told Rockets management he will report soon.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 7, 2020
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."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 7, 2020
Stephen Silas on James Harden: "He's not here, and he has a reason, but that's on him to tell whoever what the reason is."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 7, 2020
PJ Tucker declines to answer any questions about his friend and teammate James Harden: "I’m here to talk about PJ Tucker."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 7, 2020
Oh and then somewhere in the midst of all that people started to share this:
James Harden was spotted at the club again last night
(IG: cbodadon) pic.twitter.com/D1i3CmEMoR
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 7, 2020
To be sure, it hasn’t been confirmed that Harden was out partying (in the middle of a pandemic) instead of hooping with his teammates last night, but it sure isn’t a good look considering everything else that is going on right now. And, if the guy’s goal is to get traded before the start of the season, I’d have to say he is doing a pretty damn good job.
While the Rockets have said they expect Harden to be with the team in 2020-21, the league is at a point where players of his caliber usually get their way. If Harden doesn’t want to play in Houston anymore … he won’t. With that said, now isn’t the time to pull out your trade machine and think of a way he ends up in Chicago. I’d say the chances of a Harden-Bulls trade is only a tiny bit more likely than Michael Jordan coming out of retirement and leading the Bulls to another championship. But, hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?