NBA Rumors: More Teams Enter Fray To Sign James Harden

The Houston Rockets are actively trying to find a new destination for All-Star guard James Harden.

They have reportedly begun looking for teams outside of Harden’s preferred destinations, which are the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported that several franchises in the NBA’s both Eastern and Western conferences are ready to commit ‘several high-level trade assets’ as they hold talks to acquire Harden.

The Rockets are said to be holding talks with multiple organizations but at the same are keeping the guard abreast of all their discussions.

Harden will have the option to enter free agency in two years’ time, but teams are not fazed that there is a possibility that they will lose him for no compensation if he decides not to renew with his new franchise if a trade takes place.

The 76ers are reportedly willing to include Ben Simmons as part of the package to sign Harden, but despite that, finalizing a deal for the in-demand guard is still far-fetched.

On the other hand, the Nets will require a third team to join the fray in order to satisfy the Rockets’ demands.

The Rockets begin their NBA campaign next week against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston expects to begin the season with Harden and John Wall manning the backcourt.

Harden had a late appearance in one of his team's preseason games, and his first order of business is to get back into fit shape after being seen wearing the Rockets jersey in an overweight physique.

"I can only focus on right now, and for me, the best James Harden is making sure I'm in shape," he told reporters on Wednesday. "Like I said, I hadn't even had an opportunity to play 5-on-5."

"Individual workouts, when you do individual basketball training, is great, but as every NBA player can agree, there's nothing like 5-on-5 training, the physicality, making reads and things like that. Yesterday for my first time being out there, I felt good, and that's exciting."

Harden requested his transfer prior to training camp, despite the Rockets offering him a two-year, $103 million extension over his existing three-year $133 million deal.

Even with the arrival of Wall from the Washington Wizards, he has not changed his stance as he is adamant to join his former teammate Kevin Durant in Brooklyn.