NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Reportedly Pushing For James Harden Trade, Here Are Nets Players Involved

The Houston Rockets could end up starting the 2020-21 NBA season without James Harden and Russell Westbrook if trades for the two go down in the coming weeks. The Brooklyn Nets have emerged as a surprise team trying to get the “Bearded One” and the offer somehow makes sense.

The Nets have opened talks with the Rockets for Harden, Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated reported, citing an unnamed source. According to the journalist's source, Brooklyn is offering these players as part of the deal: Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen.

The multiplayer offer seems reasonable, but nothing has been finalized. A verdict could be out by Nov. 22. International Business Times could not independently verify this information.

If the Nets succeed, it would reunite Harden with Kevin Durant. Add Kyrie Irving to the mix and the Nets would get a significant boost in their NBA title aspirations starts next NBA season. Aside from Durant, it would also reunite Harden with former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, who is serving as one of Steve Nash’s assistants, ESPN reported.

Harden has the numbers to show, with the 31-year-old All-Star averaging 34.3 points, 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds in 68 regular-season games. Without question, those are huge numbers that the Nets would be privileged to have.

Though Harden and Durant are believed to be close friends, the issue of chemistry is up in the air. Most know how ball-dominant the 2018 NBA MVP is, raising questions on how he can gel with Durant and Irving.

It was the same issue raised last season for the Rockets when Westbrook was acquired in exchange for Chris Paul. Houston showed vaunted firepower, but the tandem still fell short of turning in a good performance in the NBA playoffs.

Speaking of Westbrook, the former NBA MVP has also sought a trade from Houston. Like Harden, it would take much to move the 32-year-old player, who is owed roughly $132.5 million for the next three years. It was trusted NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic who first reported that Westbrook wanted a trade from the Rockets.

The New York Knicks have been singled out as a plausible destination. However, New York is seeking a discount in the deal for Westbrook, placing this scenario afloat. The Knicks are wary of spending too much on Westbrook since it would prevent them from pursuing other big names.