[jwplayer RIGZ4P5f]
After Kevin Durant expressed that the era of the Big 3 has come to an end, the idea of former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate turned Houston Rockets superstar James Harden joining the Nets superstar forward and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn continues to gain traction.
When multiple members of the Rockets organization — Russell Westbrook, P.J. Tucker, Danuel House and Eric Gordon — reportedly expressed frustration with the franchise, it appeared Harden was the only one who was going to stay in Houston. On November 11, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Harden “remains committed to the Rockets and is ‘locked-in’ for the season.”
But a lot has changed since then.
Houston's James Harden remains committed to the Rockets and is "locked in" for the season, sources tell @KellyIkoNBA and me.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 12, 2020
Four days after Charania’s report, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne and Zach Lowe reported Harden was reconsidering his future. If he was to leave, Brooklyn had emerged as one of his top destinations.
ESPN Sources with @RamonaShelburne and @ZachLowe_NBA: As Houston’s James Harden considers his future with franchise, one possible trade destination is rising to top of his list: Brooklyn. The idea of reuniting with Kevin Durant and joining Kyrie Irving is resonating with Harden.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
Since then, Woj has reported Harden turned down the chance to become the league’s first $50 million a year player, adding the star is trying to force his way to Brooklyn — which was also reported by Brian T. Smith of Houston Chronicle, while Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy.com reported Harden “has officially requested a trade.”
Five days after reporting Harden was committed to Houston, Charania reported Harden wants to join either Brooklyn or Philadelphia.
Rockets star James Harden wants to be on a contender elsewhere, and Brooklyn and Philadelphia are believed to be his top desired trade destinations, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Houston is fully comfortable keeping Harden and Russell Westbrook into the season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2020
As the Rockets sent Robert Covington to Portland for Trevor Ariza, the Thunder deliver Chris Paul to Phoenix and Jrue Holiday went north to join Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, there was no update on the Harden front — until Anthony Puccio of Front Office Sports reported the Nets and Rockets are “nearing a deal to send James Harden to Brooklyn.”
While the trade “isn’t ‘official,'” Puccio reports there is a deal “in place and the two teams have a ‘verbal agreement.'”
On ESPN, Woj reported there have been talks between the Nets and Rockets, but Houston is still trying to mend things with Harden.
.@wojespn says the Rockets are still trying to repair the relationship with James Harden and will only do a deal Harden if they get a massive haul.
Says it's "unclear to [Houston]" whether the Nets can offer that.
No substantive talks have happened between the two teams. pic.twitter.com/BdTnJ8GiYi
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 17, 2020
No Nets players have been mentioned as potential pieces for a package that would deliver Harden to Brooklyn, though Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert’s names popped up in the rumor mill when the Nets were reportedly in on Holiday.
Woj has reported the Rockets want “a massive haul” in exchange for Harden.
RELATED: Spencer Dinwiddie reacts to James Harden turning down huge offer from Rockets