Houston Rockets superstar and former league MVP James Harden wants out of H-Town. Is it possible there are political motivations behind Harden's trade demands?
League insider Ric Bucher suggested Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta's support of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party is not sitting well with Harden:
“What I heard is,” Bucher said, via TMZ. “And we know how much politics and political position had to do with the boycott and protests during the Bubble — I'm hearing that Tilman Fertitta’s strong Republican support and donations is one of the things that is contributing to this dissatisfaction.”
Granted, this is more conjecture than anything else, at least at this point.
It is true players around the NBA were adamant about prioritizing demands for social justice and creating pathways to facilitate more conversations and solutions regarding racial equity.
Simultaneously, Fertitta has been unabashed in his support of President Trump, and the two are reportedly friends.
However, the NBA is still a business, and Fertitta is hardly the only sports executive to back Trump or make donations to the Republican Party.
Regardless, the Rockets are certainly in the midst of an apparent overhaul.
Former general manager Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D'Antoni were replaced by Rafael Stone and Stephen Silas, respectively. Stone and Silas have been met with internal turmoil, with both Harden and Westbrook expressing displeasure at the direction of the franchise.
Houston also traded swingman Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers late Monday night, perhaps an indicator more moves are in the team's future.
There is no telling whether “The Beard” is hoping for a trade due to Fertitta's political affiliations. In any case, the drama surrounding the Rockets is unlikely to ease up anytime soon.
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