James Harden didn’t show up to practice with the Houston Rockets and also missed out on his individual training session.
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The Houston Rockets have had one of the most confusing offseasons of any team in recent memory.
They acquired Christian Wood on a good contract and signed DeMarcus Cousins, but then let go of Russell Westbrook and took on John Wall. Wall has not hit the NBA hardwood for 2 years, and he’s coming off an Achilles tear.
To top it all off, Harden has made it clear that he wants out of Houston, and preferably land on the Nets. He even rejected a contract extension from the Rockets that would’ve gotten him $50 million per year
With all these factors in play, Harden seems to have had enough.
James Harden does not report to the first day of training camp
The 2018 NBA MVP has been in the tabloids quite often, and not always for basketball reasons. He was spotted at a strip club with rapper Lil Baby last week.
This isn’t the first time Lil Baby and the 2018 MVP have linked up as they both celebrated each other’s birthdays together these past 2 months.
It is very likely that Harden missed the first day of training camp due to him partying with Lil Baby the night prior.
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
He was scheduled to show up alongside PJ Tucker to an individual workout too, but he missed that one as well.
Are these clear signs that the Beard wants out of Houston?
The clearest sign that the Beard wants to be traded away from the Rockets was the moment when he asked the Rockets front office to trade him.
The Rockets however, are adamant on seeing how the John Wall-James Harden tandem works. It is also very difficult to find a trade package that would equal what James Harden is worth.
As Bill Simmons says, “James Harden is a walking playoff berth.”
