NBA Rumors: James Harden Bent On Leaving Houston, Serious About Move To Brooklyn

The Houston Rockets' chances of locking up James Harden may have gotten bleaker.

Reports have come out that the “Bearded One” has thumbed down a lucrative offer from his current team. The more-than-generous offer could have given the former NBA MVP the chance to become the first $50 million a year player.

Harden was offered a two-year extension by the Rockets worth roughly $103 million. The 31-year-old turned the lucrative offer down and this further raised the belief that he was bent on moving out of Houston to play alongside friends Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as part of the Brooklyn Nets, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported.

As mentioned in a previous post, the Nets had opened talks with the Rockets for a multiplayer deal for Harden.

Among the names in that report from Sports Illustrated (citing unnamed sources) include Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen.

That report could not be immediately verified by International Business Times, but the latest developments are likely to set off another round of speculations.

Should Harden move out, it raises questions on what the future holds for Russell Westbrook as well.

It was Westbrook who first sought a trade from the Rockets, The Athletic reported. But unlike Harden, he has yet to find an interested team willing to absorb his huge $132 million contract.

The New York Knicks have been singled out as a likely landing spot although nothing has come close to a potential deal.

For Harden, the sudden desire to move out of Houston is surprising. Worth noting is that the shooting guard has never made the NBA Finals since joining the Rockets.

The closes he has gotten was the Western Conference Finals. That happened twice against the Golden State Warriors with the Rockets falling short of advancing to the big dance.

Should the Nets acquire Harden, it would result in a lethal “Big Three” for Brooklyn. He would bring huge numbers to the fold.

Last season, Harden averaged 34.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game for the Rockets. He has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons.

Also worth noting is that if the deal does materialize, Harden will not be burdened scoring-wise. Durant and Irving can score, meaning all the eight-time NBA All-Star would have to worry about is blending in the system of first-year head coach Steve Nash.

A move would also reunite him with former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni who is serving as one of the club’s assistants.