Earlier Sunday, Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said that James Harden remained away from the team at training camp due to “NBA protocols,” alluding to extra COVID-19 safety precautions.
Silas added that the All-Star guard was expected to go through an individual workout at Toyota Center later that day, which would have put Harden on course to join group activities within a few days.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, that plan clearly did not come to fruition. Late Sunday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Harden did not report for his anticipated individual workout, but that he informed the team that he would be reporting “soon.” Within a few hours of that, additional videos of Harden were posted to Instagram, purportedly from Las Vegas.
Source: James Harden did not return to Houston for his anticipated individual workout Sunday evening but told Rockets management he will report soon.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 7, 2020
It appears James Harden was still partying in Las Vegas last night, this time at Drai’s Nightclub.
Harden reportedly missed both a team team practice and an individual workout on Sunday, though the Rockets expect him soon.
As usual, more video below.
(PC: cbodadon on IG) pic.twitter.com/eQ8PUsLvW2
— Alec Sturm (@alec_sturm) December 7, 2020
Harden, who is under contract for at least two more seasons, reportedly asked for a trade to the Nets earlier this offseason. The Rockets have yet to grant that request, largely due to Brooklyn’s lack of high-level assets, but relations have appeared strained since. The perennial MVP finalist has yet to publically address the situation, and he hasn’t met with reporters since Houston’s 2020 playoff run came to an end in September.
New backcourt mate John Wall said Sunday that he had spoken with Harden in recent days, adding that he “for sure” expects Harden to be with the Rockets. However, the clock is ticking. Even if Harden does report in the near future, as MacMahon says he told the team he would, he would still have to go through several days of individual-only work after not complying with the NBA’s recommended protocols in Las Vegas.
Houston’s first preseason game is Friday in Chicago, and the odds of Harden being with the team at that time are becoming less likely by the day. The next update on his situation comes later Monday from training camp, with Silas and other players scheduled to speak to reporters.
