‘Rockets want Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant’: Houston reveal the only way they’ll trade James Harden to Nets

James Harden asked for an OUT, and now Houston Rockets have to think of their future before trading him

James Harden has been the face of the Rockets ever since he joined them in 2012. They have had 8 seasons together, where Harden has been the league MVP once, a scoring champion thrice, and an 8x NBA All-Star. However, it seems like Harden has had enough of the solo domination playstyle, where he eventually falls short in the post-season.

Also Read: “James Harden wants to join forces with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn”

It has been almost 12 hours since there were official reports claiming that James Harden has asked the Houston management for an OUT. He also tried to make a specific trade location known to the management, Brooklyn.

What would the Nets have to give up to get James Harden?

Till now the whispers had said that the Nets will give some quality role players with star potential, and a bunch of draft picks. Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, and Jarrett Allen were the names most likely on the trading block. However, sources in the league say that the Rockets won’t let go of Harden so easily.

Sources close to the Rockets say that they will only consider a trade to the Nets if they get either Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving in return.

“The Nets, I’m told there’s not much interest on Houston’s part in any type of deal with them, unless it includes Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant,” Shams Charania said.

Also Read: “Ricky Rubio not very pleased with him being traded to OKC”

This certainly makes the entire situation a whole lot trickier. On the one hand, getting James Harden makes the Nets even stronger as contenders for the title. On the other hand, losing KD or Kyrie, even before they got a chance to play together would be something that wouldn’t sit right with a lot of people.

The trio of KD, Kyrie and Harden is what makes the trade to Nets a blockbuster one; however, if one of KD and Kyrie have to move the other way, the trade wouldn’t be as iconic as it was initially made out to be.

Sixers not inclined to trade Ben Simmons for James Harden

The Philadelphia 76ers were the first team around whom the James Harden trade rumors started emerging. It is all because of their newly appointed president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey.

Now that Harden has said he wants out, the Sixers only have a shot if they trade Ben Simmons in exchange. Sixers don’t seem very inclined to do so. There can be a scenario involving a 3 team trade, but that seems like a very long shot.

Thus, as of now it seems like Houston are doing everything in their power to make sure that Harden sticks around. And even if he leaves, they’ll make sure they get another superstar in return.