After registering six negative coronavirus tests, star guard James Harden practiced with the Rockets on Monday for the first time this season, tweets Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle.
Head coach Stephen Silas, who confirmed that P.J. Tucker also returned to practice for the Rockets, said that both Harden and Tucker looked “very good.” Silas added that he and Harden had a good conversation, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link).
“He was locked in and asking good questions,” Silas said of Harden, adding that the plan is for the 31-year-old to play in Houston’s preseason game on Tuesday vs. San Antonio (Twitter link via Tim MacMahon of ESPN).
As we relayed this morning, Harden hasn’t backed off his desire to be traded at all and is still pushing Houston to move him. However, he has reportedly told the team that he’ll be “professional and engaged” until a trade occurs, recognizing that keeping his value high will increase the Rockets’ chances of finding a deal they like.
It doesn’t appear that any Harden trade talks have gotten serious so far, with teams unwilling to meet the Rockets’ high asking price so far. Yaron Weitzman reported earlier today (via Twitter) that Houston wants three first-round picks in addition to Ben Simmons in a deal with Philadelphia. I’m skeptical that the Rockets’ asking price will stay that high, but given that the Sixers haven’t even put Simmons on the table yet, it’s fair to assume the two sides remain far apart.
I’d want too leave Houston too bud. Only 2 chips have asterisks
Why would you want to leave?
I’d want to play for a winning organization. Not one that only wins when the real champ goes to play baseball
Huh? What does baseball have to do with anything? Seems like the only purpose of yoir comment was to trash the rockets organization…you must lead a fulfilling life
I was talking about the only 2 championships there rockets have are when MJ retired and played baseball. And yes I think the rockets organization is trash. Enjoy cheering for ur losing organization and watching James harden flop and flail so he can shot 20 free throws a game and go 3-14 from 3
There is no correlaton between Jordan and those Rockets championships.
Delusional
What chips have asterisks by them? Certainly not the Rockets back-to-back championships.
Well u might as well keep him. Simmons and 3-1st rd picks is laughable.
I wouldn’t trade Ben for Harden straight up (doubt Morey will either) let alone throw picks or assets along with it! Ben is the cornerstone in Philly
Don’t get me wrong Harden and Embiid in the pick and roll would be unstoppable. But Simmons and 3-1st rd picks is laughable.
I would not count on Morey resistant to Harden’s charms. If he wins a title with Harden in Philly, that will support what he was doing in Houston, the plan just needing time.
Rockets would be better off shipping him out.
Atlanta would be an interesting destination.
Snell, Collins, Fernando, and Reddish plus picks for Harden.
Young, Harden, Bogdanovic, Gallinari, and Capella would make an interesting 5.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
1st round picks are always pretty useless to get in a trade, HOU should be looking to get good young players instead, having a bunch of future picks in the late #20’s can’t ever help a team!
#FreeTheBeard
Yeah I really think Houston is only going to keep Harden around for one more season at most and then move on for a full rebuild but it may be less than one full season. That really seems like a bad environment in general for that organization, and it seems to begin with Harden.
How nice of him to show up.
Why would you pay a big prize. When you know he wants out. You can just wait on Houston to get the message. Get what you can and move on. They knew long before he wanted out.
Harris, Scott, Milton, two #1 picks, two switch #1 picks option. Heat are not giving up on Bam. Herro is about it. This saga will only get worse for both.
Harden is opening up new Restaurant in Houston. So this can get real ugly for both sides.
Solution for Rockets to get
1 proven young star
AND
1 top tier rookie contract
Is via third team
Rockets fans don’t want 76ers picks
Rockets fans don’t want reality but future
They have zero lottery picks next 7 years
This is the best time to grab two or three lottery picks if they want to
And Rockets fans still want to win championship this season
Expectation is high
Almost every team that makes the playoffs every year has zero lottery picks.
I mean
Two picks and 2 swaps to Thunder
Morey offer too much to Thunder and may pay back the damages from 76ers
Overpay to get Harden
Harden will not be moved for less than an under 25 star, at least 1st round pick (likely 2-4 picks), and salary fillers. Otherwise he will stay he and be moved in a sign and trade in 2 years.
The only credible deals would be Simmon, a 1st, and salary fillers or Bam/Herro, 2 1st and salary fillers (Hadden/Tucker)
Harden wants out…that much is clear. The Rockets organization has repeatedly exposed themselves to be unintelligent as an organization. I hope they don’t wise up and trade Harden.
TD
76ers get Harden
Wolves get Harris, a good player and 2 Firsts
Rockets get Edwards, Beasley and Rubio
4th team sent a good young player to Wolves
Schröder and Harrell probably come close to matching Harden’s salary, right?
If Houston isn’t going to get a Kyrie or a Simmons, Lakers can offer just as much as anyone else if they throw in Kuzma and whatever picks they have.