After eight seasons with the Houston Rockets, lead guard James Harden reportedly wanted to seek a change in scenery with the Brooklyn Nets emerging as his preferred destination.
Via Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle:
“But Harden wants to move on from the Rockets, the Chronicle has been informed, and is trying to force his way via trade to Brooklyn, allowing The Beard to form the NBA’s next superteam and rejoin forces with former Oklahoma City teammate Kevin Durant.”
The eight-time All-Star previously agreed to a lucrative four-year, $170 million contract extension signed back in 2017 that will run through the 2022-2023 season. The only way he can get out of Houston is to force a trade to the Nets which the Rockets front office has been insisting as of late.
However, they will be willing to move him only if they are offered with the right pieces and once they deem that a blockbuster trade will be better for the franchise moving forward, as per Smith.
James Harden wants to move on from the #Rockets and is trying to force his way to Durant's #Nets via trade.
The Rockets want to keep Harden as the face of their franchise but will trade him if it becomes the best option for a franchise in transition. https://t.co/G9hZuRdarM #NBA— Brian T. Smith (@BTSmithUK) November 16, 2020
The organization has willingly given in to the wants and demands of Harden in previous seasons and their downfall could be largely on the superstar's fault.
The #Rockets have increasingly catered to and given in to everything Harden since 2012. The lack of accountability that has led to this dividing point within the franchise largely bears Harden’s imprint.https://t.co/G9hZuRdarM #NBA
— Brian T. Smith (@BTSmithUK) November 16, 2020
The California native was first brought in to the Rockets back in 2012 after engaging in a trade orchestrated by former general manager Daryl Morey. He then took his career to greater heights with the Houston-based squad where he snagged six All-NBA First Team selections, eight All-Star appearances, and an NBA MVP title in 2018.
He has also led the Rockets to eight consecutive trips to the playoffs but the team failed to step foot in the NBA Finals with Harden at the helm. After numerous disappointing exits and frustrations from his teammates, the former Arizona State product is looking poised to move on and take his talents elsewhere.