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Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash recently sent a firm message that the team wouldn't trade James Harden ahead of Thursday's deadline. Since then, there have been a number of rumors and reports about the status of negotiations with the Philadelphia 76ers, plus a report coming Thursday morning stating Harden wants a trade now but doesn't want to make a public trade request.
In the wake of that, Nash is doubling down and remaining defiant. Speaking to reporters Thursday, the Nets coach again said Harden isn't going anywhere:
Nash says he feels the same way he did the other day — that James Harden will not be traded today.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 10, 2022
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Brooklyn would clearly prefer Harden commits himself to the team this season with the goal of winning a championship. A fully engaged Harden alongside Kevin Durant and even a part-time Kyrie Irving would still be extremely tough to beat in a playoff series.
But at this point, it's clear Harden has a wandering eye and is frustrated with how things have played out in Brooklyn. The Nets star might not want to make an official trade request in fear of backlash, but the cat is already out of the bag here.
So, Brooklyn has to decide if it's worth keeping Harden around for a title shot this season and then risking losing him for nothing in the offseason. Part of the calculus, of course, includes just what the Sixers are willing to include in a trade along with Ben Simmons. If they're okay including a good amount more in the trade in order to get Harden, perhaps Nets general manager Sean Marks bites the bullet and pulls the trigger on the deal.
