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Trade talks have heated up for Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden following comments during a press conference made after a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night. The current front runners to land Harden are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. Marc Stein, sports writer for the New York Times, reports that the Rockets are pursuing a package from the 76ers centered around Ben Simmons.
The Rockets are pursuing a trade package from the 76ers that would be headlined by Ben Simmons and Tyrese Maxey, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 13, 2021
Stein added that the Rockets are determined to trade Harden after the remarks he made stating that he does not seem to think that the situation in Houston can be fixed.
Houston is increasingly determined to complete a James Harden trade as soon as today, league sources say, and has chased the promising Maxey in addition to Simmons
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 13, 2021
Philly is known to covet Houston's PJ Tucker in addition to Harden while the Nets have also remained in pursuit
According to Stein, the 76ers are looking to keep Tyrese Maxey out of a possible Harden trade.
The Sixers, league sources say, are trying to muster other assets (such as draft compensation) to offer Houston to keep Tyrese Maxey out of a potential James Harden trade, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 13, 2021
The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly offered a package containing Caris LeVert, four first round picks, and three additional pick swaps for Harden according to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of the Athletic.
Sam Amick released a quote by Demarcus Cousins, a teammate of Harden on the Rockets, commenting on Harden’s statement from last night.
DeMarcus Cousins: "My interest is to play with John Wall, to be brutally honest. ...The (Harden) disrespect started way before. This isn't something that, you know, all of a sudden started last night. ...It's completely unfair to the rest of the guys in the locker room."
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 13, 2021
Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported that Harden was not at practice today, and it is the Rockets’ intent to keep him away from the team until a trade partner is found.
The Rockets are planning to keep Harden away until a trade is done --- with front office weighing best final offers from Brooklyn and Philadelphia, sources tell @ramonashelburne and me. Process is moving quickly now. https://t.co/YDZkAKcG5d
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
The Trail Blazers were reported to be on Harden’s list of preferred destinations, but have yet to publicly offer a trade for the disgruntled star.