The Houston Rockets don't want to trade James Harden and are hoping he shows up to training camp before the team's first preseason game on Friday against the Chicago Bulls.
Harden, who has reportedly requested a trade from the Rockets, shocked Houston's front office when he didn't show up to training camp, per Sam Amick of The Athletic. New general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Stephen Silas are dealing with the possibility of having no choice but to trade Harden if he doesn't eventually come to camp.
However, the Rockets aren't going to budge on their trade demands for Harden, even if the trade market isn't responding to what they want in return for the 2018 MVP, per Amick.
As for the prospects of him being traded, sources say the Rockets’ demands remain unchanged even after these past few days: An All-Star/All-NBA level player in return, as well as a treasure trove of other assets (young prospects, first-round draft picks, etc.). But as of Monday afternoon, sources say, the trade market wasn’t responding to these demands in the kind of way that would inspire a move.
Silas has to be wondering what he got himself into. When he took the Rockets' job, he had two MVPs on the squad in James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Now, Silas could possibly lose two MVPs in the same offseason, as the Rockets traded Westbrook to the Washington Wizards and may have to move Harden as well if The Beard continues to make it known he wants out of Clutch City.
The Rockets have reached the Western Conference Finals twice with Harden, losing to the Golden State Warriors on both occasions. The three-time scoring champion reportedly wants to get traded to the Brooklyn Nets so he can play with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
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