The Brooklyn Nets play the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in their final game ahead of Thursday's 2022 NBA trade deadline. Nets star James Harden will not suit up against the Celtics as he nurses a hamstring injury, which will only raise eyebrows given all the rumors about a possible trade to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons.

This will be Harden's third consecutive missed game with the hamstring issue. Nets head coach Steve Nash recently insisted Harden is dealing with a legitimate injury, but that's not going to quiet the speculation that the struggling star is being held out because of trade talks:

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

Harden really struggled in the last game he played against the Sacramento Kings last week. It looked like he was mailing it in, though perhaps his injuries (he also has been dealing with a hand issue) really did play a major factor in his poor performance.

The Nets star hasn't been at his normal level all season, though, and there have been rumblings of his frustration with the coaching staff, Kyrie Irving's part-time status and a need for him to be The Man. It doesn't help that Kevin Durant is currently out with a knee injury.

There has been a lot of smoke about Harden's supposed desire to wind up with the Sixers, but the Nets seemingly would prefer to stay the course this season. Even so, there continues to be buzz around the NBA about a blockbuster swap possibly happening, so this isn't going to die down. And even if Harden doesn't get traded this week, the looming specter of his free agency will hang over Brooklyn's season.