NBA Rumors: John Wall Acquisition Could Flip Script Of James Harden Trade Demand

The Houston Rockets addressed one problem after the Russell Westbrook for John Wall trade.

They now find themselves trying to figure out another big problem with James Harden also wanting out. However, the successful swapping of Westbrook for Wall could alter those plans.

Harden allegedly preferred to team up with long-time friend Wall over Westbrook, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported. It is a surprising development, but it raised the chances of the Rockets possibly keeping the 2018 NBA MVP in the fold.

Houston had offered the 31-year-old a lucrative deal before word broke out that he was seeking a trade.

Had Harden signed on the dotted line, it would have made him the first player in NBA history to earn $50 million a season. Assuming he ends up staying, it will be interesting if the Rockets offer the same package to the eight-time All-Star.

The Rockets surprised a lot of people when they acquired Westbrook in exchange for Chris Paul last season. Though they were teammates under the Oklahoma City Thunder banner, pundits question how both could co-exist since they wanted the basketball in their hands.

Somehow, former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni was able to make it work. But in the end, it was not enough to get them deep in the NBA Western Conference playoffs. Everything just fell apart from there.

Many believe that Harden may eventually change his mind. One person who is confident of that happening is new head coach Stephen Silas.

Silas is giving Harden some space but believes he will be around when camp opens this weekend, the Associated Press reported.

“I’m confident that he will be all in,” Silas said. “That’s where I’m leaving it. As I said, I’ve given him the space to to do his thing. But I’m confident he’ll be here when we get started.”

Lastly, Harden’s decision may depend on how the acquisition of Wall sits with him. When the Rockets acquired Westbrook, the “Bearded One” appeared all-in for it.

However, things changed. Now Harden will have a new friend to play with this season, someone that can hopefully mesh well.

Though many question Wall’s physical status when the new season starts on Dec. 22, the 30-year-old showed in a recent pick-up game that he is ready to take the court again.

Harden and Wall played pickup games together last month alongside Michael Beasley, Andre Drummond and P.J. Tucker. Footage of that was shared on Twitter by NBA on ESPN.