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Houston Rockets star James Harden addressed the media for the first time on Wednesday, though he tread carefully.
Harden has been the focus of the NBA offseason after reports surfaced he had demanded a trade from the Rockets. Numerous reports have suggested he is intent on moving and fed up with the team’s culture, though former executives suggested “The Beard” facilitated that culture.
However, it seems Harden has not spoken with the front office about his demands.
When asked whether he trusts new general manager Rafael Stone to build a competitive roster around him, Harden said “We haven’t had a conversation,” per Salman Ali of ESPN 97.5.
Alternatively, Harden gave a strong backing of head coach Stephen Silas.
It had been reported Harden preferred the team hire either Tyronn Lue or John Lucas, and that his trade request stemmed from Houston’s decision to hire Silas. But Harden was effusive in his praise for Silas during his media session:
“Coach has done an unbelievable job of communicating with the guys and putting the structure in and getting things going,” Harden said, per Ali.
The former NBA MVP also added he is in “catch-up mode” with respect to the systems Silas has in place. Obviously, this stems from his untimely arrival to camp and having to register six straight negative tests for COVID-19 prior to joining his teammates.
Harden appears to have cleared the air with Silas after a shaky start. Whether he will ever do the same with Stone and the rest of Houston’s front office is up for debate.