NBA Trade Rumors: James Harden not interested in playing with John Wall

NBA Trade Rumors: James Harden doesn’t want to play with James Harden in Houston

When it was reported that the Houston Rockets had traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall and a first-round pick, there was hope that James Harden would at least explore the option of playing with Wall and the Rockets this season.

Most of that hope, however, has been distinguished after it’s now being reported that despite the trade for Wall, Harden remains uninterested in playing for the Rockets this season. He still wants a trade out of Houston.

"[via ESPN]"

More from Sir Charles In Charge

"The arrival of John Wall has left All-NBA guard James Harden unmoved and uninterested in pursuing a new partnership, and the franchise star continues to push the Houston Rockets for a trade, sources told ESPN."

The report also states that Harden wants a “fresh start” elsehere. Which makes sense and falls in line with what appears to be taking place in this situation. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. What makes this all much more complicated is the, reportedly, lack of trade market for Harden at the moment.

Mostly because he has two years remaining on his contract and you’d be hard-pressed to find many teams willing to give up what the Rockets might be asking for in exchange for a player that may or may not be more than a two-year experiment.

That said, it’d be one heck of an experiment. Harden is coming off a sensational season in which he finished third in NBA MVP voting after averaging 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds on 44 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Any team that trades for him would be an instant contender and possibly become the favorite, should a team like the Philadelphia 76ers or Brooklyn Nets, which sit atop his wishlist, acquire him ahead of the season.

The Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks are two other teams that have been named as possible destination which Harden would be open to. Though, neither team appears to have the assets to get a deal done. Or at least not at the moment, especially if the Rockets maintain their high asking price (a young fundamental prospect and a myriad of future draft picks).

The timeline on a potential James Harden trade could come down to two things. First, whether or not the Sixers decide trading Ben Simmons is something they’d be open to doing. If the answer to that question is not now and not anytime soon, then the next question falls to the Rockets: would they be open to pivoting off their high asking price?

Next. NBA Trade Rumors: 3 reasons why the Miami Heat should be all-in on James Harden. dark

If so, that’s ultimately when we could see a trade for James Harden. It’s difficult to predict when that will be, but the hope is it comes quickly. The last thing both the Houston Rockets and James Harden need is for this back and forth to continue into the start of the season, which is slated to begin in roughly a week.

Home/Houston Rockets