Following the harsh rhetoric by disgruntled star James Harden after Tuesday’s loss, the Houston Rockets are moving quickly in evaluating trade packages, per Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
“The Rockets are sifting through finalists — Nets and [Philadelphia] 76ers — for a James Harden deal that could culminate quickly, with Brooklyn preparing an offer of all its future first-round picks and pick swaps, per sources,” Charania tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.
Per Charania and Amick, Brooklyn’s offer would include four future first-round draft picks and three future pick swaps, which is the most they can offer under the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Brooklyn would also have to send out significant salaries to be allowed to take in Harden’s $41.3-million contract, though the Rockets could redirect some or all of those pieces to a third team. Houston is believed to be seeking both significant draft compensation and a “young franchise cornerstone” player in any deal for Harden, a perennial All-Star and MVP finalist.
Meanwhile, Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle have been discussed in negotiations between the Rockets and 76ers, per Charania. It is not clear which team is the preference for new Rockets GM Rafael Stone.
The Rockets are sifting through finalists — Nets and 76ers — for a James Harden deal that could culminate quickly, with Brooklyn preparing an offer of all its future first-round picks and pick swaps, per sources.
Story on @TheAthletic with @sam_amick: https://t.co/tTYIRVG8Xg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2021
Boston and Toronto have also expressed interest in Harden at various points in negotiations, according to The Athletic. However, the Brooklyn and Philadelphia packages appear to be the current focus.
Harden is under contract through at least the 2021-22 season, so the Rockets (3-6) are not certainly required to make an immediate deal. But with Harden struggling and visibly unhappy, and the team having lost four of five games amid a disappointing start, that could expedite things.
