The Houston Rockets are doing their best to convince James Harden that staying is the best option available for him. Reports said the former MVP wants out Houston for the chance to team up with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. And the superstar is said to be forcing his way out.
The Rockets front office is rattled by Harden's decision to skip work until the trade request that will bring him to the Nets next season is acted upon. The former scoring champion has yet to practice with his teammates and it's obvious that he is sending a strong message to the Houston management.
Monja Willis, Harden's mother and agent, said her son's action is justified. The superstar played his heart out in the past years and performed beyond expectation so he deserves to be listened to in asking for a change.
Needless to say, Harden wants to own an NBA ring and Willis said it is a fair and natural thing to do.
"He is doing what is best for his career. Please pay attention and understand ... He asked for a chance to get a ring, that's it. Anyone in their right mind in this business would want that," Yahoo Sports reported Willis as saying.
Harden's team, however, is unlikely to give up on the star that easily. Per the same report, the Rockets are optimistic that the arrival of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will convince Harden that he has the necessary support to win an NBA title in Houston.
And truth be told, the Rockets are not encouraged at all by the prevailing situation in the trade market. While the team has made clear that Harden is untouchable, it was established as well that a deal could be possible if the right package is put on the table.
That package includes an All-Star player that is the near-level of Harden plus add-ons such as young players and draft picks. However, Clutch Points reported that Houston's demands failed to elicit the expected offers.
So far, the proposals presented to trade for Harden were at best uninspiring. It was not mentioned though if the Nets did make an attempt to start a discussion on the matter, the report added.
New Rockets head coach Stephen Silas seemed to be starting on the job with a big problem that needs immediate solving. Already, he saw the exit of Russell Westbrook and the likelihood of overseeing Harden's departure appears to be an undeniable outcome.
It remains to be seen how Silas will make the argument on Harden that he has a better shot an NBA ring with the Rockets instead of joining up with Durant and Irving in Brooklyn.
