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The Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets have began their 2020-21 seasons in reverse instructions. Led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets are 2-2 and seem like respectable title contenders. In the meantime, James Harden and the Rockets are 0-2, and the 2018 MVP is still looking to get traded.
The Nets have been on James Harden’s commerce want record because the three-time scoring champion has a rapport with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem that Harden will get his wish and be traded to the Nets.
James Harden is dominating for the Rockets regardless of his commerce request
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The Rockets’ first recreation of the season in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder was postponed due to three positive/inconclusive COVID-19 tests and four players under quarantine. Houston didn’t have the required eight obtainable gamers to play its recreation versus Oklahoma Metropolis.
James Harden and Co. made their season debuts versus the Portland Path Blazers on the street. The Beard picked up the place he left off final season, because the All-Star guard poured in 44 factors and 17 assists in 43 minutes of motion. Harden adopted that up with 34 factors, six rebounds, and eight assists within the Rockets’ second recreation versus the Denver Nuggets. Although Houston misplaced each contests, it’s evident that Harden isn’t going to let his commerce request have an effect on his play on the court docket.
After the NBA fined him $50,000 for violating the league’s well being and security protocols, Harden has reminded everybody that he’s well worth the hassle. The long run Corridor of Famer attended a personal indoor social gathering and was photographed and not using a masks on. Harden is understood to social gathering quite a bit in his free time, and a few across the NBA speculated that his off-the-court antics may lower his commerce worth.
Nevertheless, contenders such because the Nets can be silly to not commerce for Harden, who’s undoubtedly among the finest scorers in NBA historical past. Brooklyn and Houston, although, might not be capable to comply with a Harden commerce.
Nets and Rockets haven’t had traction on a James Harden commerce
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In keeping with Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Nets and Rockets haven’t had a lot traction on a James Harden commerce. Brooklyn misplaced guard Spencer Dinwiddie to an ACL tear in the third game of the season, and he was being talked about as one of many gamers the Nets must ship to Houston to accumulate Harden.
Nevertheless, it appears like Dinwiddie’s damage didn’t change a lot of something for the Nets or Rockets.
“Spencer Dinwiddie’s well being didn’t make or break the Nets’ capability to get James Harden,” Lowe mentioned on his podcast, h/t Real GM. “It’s unclear to me, frankly, if these groups have had something resembling a critical dialog about James Harden. Let’s make that clear. I don’t sense that there’s been hardly any traction there in any respect. And perhaps the way in which the Nets began had them pondering, ‘Why are we messing with this?’”
James Harden and Kevin Durant have been teammates on the Thunder again within the day, so the 2 superstars have a detailed relationship. In the meantime, Kyrie Irving and Harden have developed a bond as effectively through the years. Individuals across the NBA perceive why Harden needs to play for the Nets, however the former Sixth Man of the Yr might not get what he needs.
Will The Beard demand to be traded and sit out video games till he’s gone from Houston?
If he doesn’t get traded by the Rockets quickly, will James Harden go to the entrance workplace and demand to be traded as quickly as doable? Superstars often get their means within the NBA, however it’s clear Houston will take its time in coping with Harden’s commerce request, and that won’t sit effectively with the 31-year-old.
This most likely gained’t occur since he likes to compete, however Harden might drive the Rockets’ hand by sitting out video games till he’s traded. Nevertheless, if the California native did that, he can be dropping much more cash on high of the $50,000 he already misplaced.
It’s going to be very fascinating to see what occurs in Houston. James Harden clearly needs to play for the Nets or Philadelphia 76ers, however it doesn’t seem like something is within the works in the intervening time.
Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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