Report: James Harden sought trade once Rockets hired Stephen Silas

“Early on in the Rockets’ coaching search, management asked for Harden’s input, and Silas was not among his top choices,” Zillgitt writes.

All-Star guard and perennial MVP finalist James Harden asked for a trade from Houston once the Rockets hired Stephen Silas as head coach, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports.

In the search to replace Mike D’Antoni, Harden had reportedly given his top endorsements to Tyronn Lue and John Lucas — though the latter is on Silas’ coaching staff for the 2020-21 season as an assistant.

In a story published Wednesday, Zillgitt writes:

All-Star James Harden wanted out of Houston as soon as the Rockets hired Stephen Silas as coach, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. …

Early on in the Rockets’ coaching search, management asked for Harden’s input, and Silas, the son of former NBA player and coach Paul Silas, was not among Harden’s top choices, the person told USA TODAY.

It isn’t clear why Silas was on Harden’s preferred list of candidates, but it could simply be age and experience. At 47 years old, Silas is a first-time head coach, and he hadn’t crossed paths with Harden at any of his prior stops as an assistant. Thus, there wasn’t a relationship in place.

When Harden was away from the team to start 2020-21 training camp, Silas said he had yet to speak with Harden during that time, pointing to their limited relationship. However, Silas did say on Monday that Harden “recommended that I get the job” in the interview process. The three finalists were believed to be Silas, Lucas, and Jeff Van Gundy.

Harden is now back at Toyota Center to begin an on-site COVID-19 testing program, but it isn’t yet clear when he will be allowed to rejoin his teammates. Silas said Wednesday that the Rockets are working with the NBA to determine the next steps after his delayed arrival.

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