Rockets: Three three-team trades that send James Harden to a contender

James Harden has had his trade requests rebuffed by the Houston Rockets but could his recent antics see the team decide to move on from the former MVP. These are three three-team trades that could work for all sides.

Houston Rockets’ superstar James Harden has not been able to stay out of the news. He was seen partying in Las Vegas, before appearing at rapper Lil Baby’s birthday party in Atlanta, and has yet to report to scheduled training camp workouts.

The former MVP will have to quarantine and his recent behavior casts doubt over his seriousness about staying with the Rockets. If the franchise has had enough of his antics could they look to move on from their last remaining superstar?

The Rockets are at a crossroads as a franchise. Everything they’ve built over the past eight seasons has been designed to get the most out of franchise icon James Harden.

Yet Harden remains unhappy with the direction of the franchise and seems intent on finding his way out of Houston to compete for the one thing his resume lacks a championship. He has made it known that his preferred landing spot is the Brooklyn Nets but it’s likely that a move to any contender would appease him.

Under contract for two more seasons before a player option, Harden is not in a strong position to make demands, which gives Houston leverage in any trade negotiations. Houston’s strong negotiation position has proved to be a double-edged sword.

The primary reason Harden remains in Houston is because of a lack of credible offers for his services. A player of Harden’s talents with two years on their contract does not get traded without a massive return and the early favorites to secure him, the Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, simply are not willing to depart with enough to convince the Rockets to pull the trigger.

It is becoming increasingly likely that any potential Harden trade won’t be a simple swap and will require a third team to facilitate a deal. These are three three-team trades that could get the Rockets the return they deserve, while also sending Harden to a contender.

Next: Trade no. 3