Nets Vow Not to Trade Harden as Skid Hits Eight Games
Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Steve Nash was emphatic Sunday that the team will not trade James Harden come the Thursday Trade Deadline.
“I’ve talked to James; he wants to be here,” Nash said. “He wants to be here long term as well, so I don’t think anything’s changed other than noise from the outside. James wants to be here, we’re building with James and we think we have the best chance to win with James. I don’t think anything’s changed on the inside, in our locker room, in our communication, it’s just all the noise from the [outside].”
Rumors have swirled for a couple weeks that the Nets could unload Harden, who is set to be a free agent after the season. The Philadelphia 76ers were considered one of the potential suitors. However reports early Monday are that the Nets and Sixers had a conversation that began and end with the word “no,” regarding a potential deal. According to that same report, the Nets and Sixers haven’t spoken since.
To sum it all up, Steve Nash said the Nets aren’t going to trade James Harden.
— Chris Milholen (@ChrisMilholen) February 6, 2022
In conversations with Nash and the Nets, Harden has reiterated since the summer that he wants to be here long-term. That stance hasn’t changed.
Clear-cut answer.
The heat up in Harden rumors comes as the Nets have lost eight straight games, including Sunday’s 124-104 loss at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, where Harden sat out with a hamstring injury. Harden has missed the past two games. The last time he played against Sacramento, he scored only four points.
Part of the frustration for Brooklyn is the fact that Kyrie Irving is limited to part-time duty due to the fact he refuses to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and New York law prohibits athletes from playing in the City unless they are vaccinated. In addition, the club is missing Kevin Durant who has missed the past three weeks with a MCL sprain. Durant might be back after the All Star Break later this month.
LaMarcus Aldrige and Nic CLaxton are also dealing with injuries. Joe Harris has been out since November.
“We’re not going to panic, there’s still plenty of games after the all-star break when Kevin gets back,” Nash said. “Hopefully have Kevin and James. You’re talking about five guys. That’s your starting lineup, potentially.”
On Sunday, Irving led the Nets with 27-points on the road in Denver, but it was not enough. Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double for Denver with 27-points, 12-rebounds and 10-assists. Six Denver players were in double-figures on the night including Will Barton who had 21-points and six boards.
