That broke the word James Harden was hoping for a deal out of Houston, reports have shown that Missiles hope they can convince him to reconsider his position and make squad moves that show him the team can still fight for a title. However, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon suggested during an appearance on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast that the team’s commitment to this position may fluctuate.
“The feeling I get from the Rockets is that their ambition, goal and hope is no longer about saving the relationship with James Harden and somehow getting him on board.” Said MacMahon (hat tip to RealGM). “There is a realization that he made up his mind. He wants out and there is a determination to say, ‘Okay, we get it. That happens in the NBA, but just because James Harden wants out doesn’t mean he has control over where and for what. ‘“
As MacMahon explains, this doesn’t mean the team will close a trade as soon as possible to send him to his preferred landing site, even if the Rockets are no longer confident that Harden can be confident about the rest of his career in Houston spend in Brooklyn.
MacMahon, who suggested last week that Houston “is ready to be Harden and” uncomfortable ” Russell Westbrook, Windhorst said the club would be looking for a young potential franchisee and one Jrue Holiday-esque package of draft picks in every store for Harden. And the missiles are ready to be patient in hopes of reaching that price, if not from that Networks then maybe from the Sixers or another club.
“What they’re saying is, ‘Look, we’re not going to get rushed into this thing'” Said MacMahon. “… They say, ‘Hey, you will have to come to camp, you will probably have to start the season.’ At this point the rockets have to be ready to listen. They understand that they have to make a deal at some point. But it’s not that he has two years plus a player option on his deal. “
Regarding Westbrook, MacMahon said there is “no fit for him that makes any sense” in the retail market right now. The Rockets hope Westbrook starts the season with the team, shows he is healthy and potentially adds to his per MacMahon worth.
