Report: Nets offering all their future picks, swaps to Rockets for Harden
The Brooklyn Nets are ready to break the bank for James Harden.
Brooklyn has offered a trade package that features all four of its future first-round draft picks, plus three pick swaps, to the Houston Rockets for the disgruntled star, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania and Sam Amick.
Houston is reportedly also considering an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers for Harden. It's not clear what the 76ers have tabled. However, the Rockets have pursued a package involving two-time All-Star Ben Simmons, sources told Charania and Amick.
Harden was not at the Rockets' practice Wednesday. Houston intends to keep him away from the team until it completes a trade, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.
The Nets currently own all their future first-round picks through 2027, according to RealGM. NBA rules prohibit any side from trading future first-rounders in back-to-back years, meaning Brooklyn can only send out its 2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027 selections. However, the Nets could also agree to swap first-round picks in 2022, 2024, and 2026 in a deal for Harden.
The Rockets have also reportedly expressed interest in second-year forward Matisse Thybulle, along with Simmons, in talks with the 76ers. Rookie Tyrese Maxey is another target for Houston in a potential trade package, reports Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Harden, 31, requested a trade away from Houston prior to the start of the season, though his demand was reportedly fueled anew by his team's 117-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. After the defeat, the three-time scoring champion and 2018 MVP delivered the strongest suggestion to date that his time with the franchise is coming to an end.
"I love this city; I literally have done everything that I can," Harden said Tuesday. "I mean, this situation is crazy. It's something that I don't think can be fixed."
Harden is recording 24.8 points, 10.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game through eight contests this season. The Rockets, meanwhile, currently sit 14th in the Western Conference at 3-6.