Stephen Silas has ‘no timetable’ for James Harden reporting to Rockets

“It is a setback,” Silas said following Monday’s training camp practice at Toyota Center. “You want your best player to be here.”

On Sunday, Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said James Harden remained away from the team at training camp due to “NBA protocols,” alluding to extra COVID-19 safety precautions.

Silas added the All-Star guard was expected to go through an individual workout at Toyota Center later that day, which would have put Harden on course to join group activities within a few days.

That did not happen, however, and Houston’s coach took a decidedly less optimistic tone in his comments after Monday’s practice.

Regarding Harden, here’s what Silas said:

There is no timetable, as far as I know. It is a setback. You want your best player to be here.

He’s not here, and he has a reason, but that’s on him to tell whoever what the reason is.

When asked whether Harden is currently in Houston, Silas said he did not know at this time.

Late Sunday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon saud Harden had informed the team that he would report “soon.” Within a few hours of that, though, new videos of Harden were posted to Instagram, purportedly from Las Vegas.

[lawrence-related id=41498]

Harden, who is under contract for at least two more seasons, reportedly asked for a trade to the Nets earlier this offseason. The Rockets have yet to grant that request, largely due to Brooklyn’s lack of high-level assets, but relations have appeared strained since. The perennial MVP finalist has yet to publicly address the situation, and he hasn’t met with reporters since Houston’s 2020 playoff run came to an end in September.

New backcourt mate John Wall said Sunday he had spoken with Harden in recent days, adding that he “for sure” expects Harden to be with the Rockets. However, the clock is ticking. Even if Harden reports in the near future, as MacMahon says he told the team he would, he would still have to go through several days of individual-only work after not complying with the NBA’s recommended protocols in Las Vegas.

Houston’s first preseason game is Friday in Chicago, and the odds of Harden being with them at that time are growing less likely by the day.

[lawrence-related id=41476,41484]