James Harden is out on Sunday with left hamstring tightness. Because of the flurry of speculation that he might be headed to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster trade for Ben Simmons, that has everyone wondering if Harden is really injured or if this absence is simply intended to preserve his health for a pending deal. Nets head coach Steve Nash clapped back on Sunday against trade rumors in mic drop fashion.

The even bigger question, of course, is if the Nets really do intend to trade The Beard, a player who has been a perennial MVP candidate over the last decade. The Nets mortgaged their future to form their Big 3 with Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. That hasnā€™t gone according to plan. Prior to the matinee vs. the Denver Nuggets, coach Steve Nash fielded questions about his starā€™s future in Brooklyn.

Is Hardenā€™s absence impacted at all by the pending trade deadline?

ā€œNo, no, Iā€™ve talked to James, he wants to be here,ā€ said the second-year head coach. ā€œHe wants to be here long term as well. So I donā€™t think anythingā€™s changed other than noise from the outside,ā€ said Nash. ā€œJames wants to be here, weā€™re building with James and we think we have the best chance to win with James. So I donā€™t think anythingā€™s changed on the inside, in our locker room, in our communication. Itā€™s just all the noise from the outside.ā€

It sounds like ESPNā€™s Adrian Wojnarowski might agree. Woj appeared on NBA Countdown on Saturday to throw a splash of cold water on trade rumors:

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But was there recently a formal conversation that took place?

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ā€œThis has been a constant thing since the summer. Heā€™s continually reiterated that he wants to be here and weā€™ve continually said that we want him here,ā€ said the Hall of Fame point guard. ā€œThat thatā€™s our best chance to win. So nothingā€™s changed from the communication that weā€™ve had and we just want to be conservative with him so we donā€™t lose him for big stretches. We think when heā€™s healthy and Kevinā€™s healthy and Kyrie plays, our teamā€™s a totally different team. And weā€™re excited by it.ā€

Nash revealed that Harden actually has had an MRI on his left hamstring. Heā€™s missing his third game since Jan. 25 with tightness and a lack of strength. Nash said itā€™s part of why he played poorly in Sacramento when he only had four points. Nash said the scan was clean of anything bad and theyā€™re hopeful heā€™ll be back out there soon. The fact the team had a scan implies he is actually dealing with an injury.

One reporter wanted to make absolutely certain he was hearing Nash correctly on the subject of a Harden-Simmons trade.

It sounds like youā€™re not trading Harden?

ā€œYes, thatā€™s correct,ā€ said Nash.

Skeptical, cynical fans will note that coachā€™s often play good cop in these matters and Nash may not have the final say here. Itā€™s Nets GM Sean Marksā€™ ultimate call on who to trade or who not to, and Nash could be providing some key leverage for negotiations that The Athleticā€™s Shams Charania has reported the Nets will have this week.

But if you take Nash at his word, James Harden isnā€™t going anywhere.