As the Houston Rockets prepare to open the regular season on Wednesday, they do so under a cloud of uncertainty with the face of their franchise. The Rockets do not plan to simply give away James Harden, the eight-time All-Star who has made clear that he prefers a trade to a contender.
The dynamics of the standoff will breed tension as the season tips off, and there have been signs in recent days that the pressure is already beginning to reveal itself, sources have told The Athletic.
Harden reported to training camp one week late on Dec. 8 with the intention of keeping things professional with the team despite his preference to be on a contender elsewhere, but the environment has gotten tense around the team in recent days.
As long as Harden remains on the roster, there will be a greater level of scrutiny around the team. All eyes will be on the Rockets and every move made, by Harden especially, will be dissected and interpreted under the context of his desire to be elsewhere.
For instance, The Athletic learned that Harden has had multiple verbal confrontations with teammates in practice on Sunday and Monday, and one confrontation included Harden throwing a basketball at a teammate on Monday.
Sources say Harden and rookie Jae’Sean Tate had a heated exchange during Monday’s practice, culminating in Harden throwing the ball in Tate’s direction. The ball did not hit Tate. Interactions like these between teammates during practice can be part of a normal, competitive environment. Harden, however, is known by those in the organization as a laid-back and calm personality —especially as superstars go — and some around the franchise are viewing this as rising to an uncharacteristic level of frustration given his ongoing situation.
Harden appeared in two preseason games for the Rockets, averaging 16 points and 6.5 assists in 24.2 minutes a night. Sources have described Harden as engaged and encouraging with teammates on game nights, discussing strategy and how to improve on the floor.
Harden, 31, has made clear that he wants a trade to a contender, with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks atop his preferred destinations, according to sources. However, the Rockets have rebuilt the roster, have had strong moments of growth in the preseason and have Harden contractually obligated.
All along, the Rockets have been building an identity under new coach Stephen Silas, with former All-Stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins helping lead a group of young talent such as Christian Wood and Danuel House and productive veterans in Eric Gordon, Ben McLemore and David Nwaba.
Having a franchise player express uncertainty with the organization before training camp can make it difficult for coaches and players. Just ask the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In 2018, the Timberwolves were in a similar situation when Jimmy Butler demanded a trade just days before training camp opened. As much as then coach Tom Thibodeau and Butler’s teammates tried to downplay the situation, it elevated the heat on each practice and each game. Every move, every little thing was scrutinized to see where Butler stood with his teammates and the organization.
Just like the Rockets are doing now with Harden, Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden presented a united front back then, saying that they would not trade Butler unless they received a premium in return for a player whom Thibodeau viewed to be among the top 10 in the league.
Eventually, Butler continued to grow impatient with the lack of trade movement and the tension continued to rise, including during a fiery practice appearance right before the start of the season. It made for a rocky ending that saw Butler moved less than one month into the season. The season had been effectively altered by that point and Thibodeau himself was fired a month after trading Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers.
There were also differences in that situation to the current one in Houston, of course. Butler is known as someone who competes with his heart on his sleeve, compared to a more even-keeled Harden. Butler also was in the last season of his contract.
The Rockets are hoping to avoid the volatility in this case, and the fact that Harden has multiple guaranteed seasons remaining gives the franchise more leverage than the Timberwolves had.
Harden has three seasons left on his deal (with a player option in 2022), and while the Rockets have engaged with multiple teams on trade options, the franchise is operating with no sense of urgency and has informed interested teams that their steep price point must be met to move the eight-time All-Star and former league MVP.
Houston begins their season at home on Wednesday, and Harden has committed to playing through this situation. One thing about Harden that is universally known: He loves this sport more than anything. So Houston will continue to rely on his production on the floor so long as he continues suiting up as he has every intention of doing.
All of it will just be happening under a bigger microscope than usual.
(Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Perk hates Max with a passion
at either Harden or the Rockets/Fertita 
. I don’t fukk with Harden at all and love Fish for what he did for the Lakers. But that was one of the craziest things I’ve read on here and that’s saying a lot.