Kevin Durant downplays reports of James Harden recruitment

“I don’t know where you’re making these stories up, that me and James talked about any of this at a workout,” Durant said on Tuesday.

It was less than three weeks ago when reports emerged that Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant had spoken with Houston Rockets superstar James Harden about potentially teaming up with the Nets. Within days, “The Beard” had reportedly asked the Rockets to trade him there.

Harden and Durant, of course, remain good friends after having played together for three seasons in Oklahoma City (2009-2012).

But the Rockets and Nets never seriously engaged in trade talks, in large part due to Brooklyn lacking the desired assets to satisfy Houston with a blockbuster offer. With Harden under contract for at least two more seasons, the Rockets hold enormous leverage in any negotiations, and thus Harden remains in Houston for the immediate future.

With the NBA’s training camps for the 2020-21 season opening this week, players across the league are being made available in press conferences for the first time since last season. On Tuesday, Durant was asked about reports connecting him to Harden, and he largely downplayed it.

I don’t know where you’re making these stories up, that me and James talked about any of this at a workout. I don’t know where that came from. James is a friend of mine, but I let the front office handle all of that stuff. I was just so focused on working out.

I heard all the noise that James potentially wanted to come to the Nets. But anyone can make up stories, anyone can write a story and it gets some traction. Nothing’s ever set in stone until it’s set in stone. So I’ve never thought too much about it, just focused on myself. My teammates probably did the same thing, and we just move forward.

Harden’s side of the story should become public within days, as the Rockets are poised to begin their camp interviews on Wednesday.

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