NBA rumors over the past several weeks have focused on a possible James Harden trade from the Houston Rockets. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know full well that Harden has requested to move on from Houston. It’s led to speculation that he might join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving with the Brooklyn Nets.
While said NBA rumors quieted down a bit recently with reports that the Rockets did not want to bring back Irving, we now have more information on a potential James Harden trade to Brooklyn.
NBA rumors: Most logical James Harden trade scenarios
NBA rumors: Rockets reopen James Harden trade talks with Nets, third team involved
Speculation on this front had included that the Nets would need to get a third team involved in order to pull off a trade for Harden. Houston wants a blue-chip young player and picks in exchange for the three-time reigning NBA scoring champion.
The likes of Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen have been linked to the Rockets in James Harden trade talks. Houston obviously doesn’t believe that any of the three qualify as “blue chip.” That’s certainly debatable.
Who the third team might be is anyone’s best guess. Said team would likely have to send out a top young player to Houston in exchange for a combination of LeVert, Dinwiddie and Allen.
All of this comes with other NBA rumors suggesting that the Philadelphia 76ers, since debunked by front office head Daryl Morey, are now willing to offer up Ben Simmons in certain James Harden trade talks.
As for the Rockets, they want to get a deal done as soon as possible given the issues we’ve seeing behind the scenes between their star player and the organization. The situation in Houston is now said to be “toxic.” Harden did not do himself any favors by missing the start of training camp to party in Georgia and Las Vegas, against the NBA COVID-19 protocols.
Houston is set to open up its season Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. At this point, there’s no reason to believe James Harden will be on another team when that game tips off.