James Harden's name has popped up in trade rumors quite a bit this week. Almost every single one of them indicates that his former GM Daryl Morey would love to acquire The Beard in a blockbuster sign-and-trade after this season.
For what it's worth, Harden had the opportunity to take a big contract extension through mid October. He decided not to take the long-term security, citing an eagerness to experience unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. He also said he wanted to focus on winning a championship in Brooklyn this season.
However, by setting himself up for free agency, he placed himself squarely in the cross-hairs for rumors… all season long.
The latest report by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report suggested that Harden may have some very specific beefs with the Nets.
“Harden has been vocal to Nets figures and close contacts alike about his frustrations regarding Kyrie Irving's part-time playing status. A recent injury to Kevin Durant has exacerbated the issue, leaving Harden to shoulder the majority of the offensive burden during Brooklyn home games.
Nets coach Steve Nash's fluid rotations have also disappointed Harden, sources told B/R. Nash has favored hot-hand closing lineups, rather than a fixed crunch-time unit.”
As the team gears up to host the Los Angeles Lakers without either Kevin Durant (MCL sprain) and Kyrie Irving (ineligible to play in home games) at Barclays Center Tuesday, head coach Steve Nash was asked to comment on reports Harden is frustrated with Irving's part-time status and the team's rotations.
Had the second-year coach spoken to his player about this stuff?
“Uh no,” said Nash. “I just heard about [these] reports, and I haven't spoken to him about any of these things so I'm not sure what to believe. James and I speak all the time, I think we have a great relationship so I'm not sure the validity of these comment to be honest with you. But we talk, the rotations, or whatever that comment, it seems very strange seeing as though we have different guys available pretty much every other night. So I don't see James as saying a lot of this stuff and feel like our relationship has been really good and we've worked through a lot of things together this year.”
"I'm not sure the validity of these comments to be honest with you…. so I don't see James as saying a lot of this stuff and I feel like our relationship has been really good…."
-Steve Nash was asked about a recent report suggesting James Harden is unhappy with #Nets pic.twitter.com/ykaV8cAxNo
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) January 25, 2022
The idea Harden would be frustrated with Kyrie Irving's status as a part-time player is not at all hard to believe. Harden took care to say very recently they can use his teammate “every single game.” He even joked about vaccinating Irving himself. That part is especially credible.
But to the other point, Nash has little choice but to close lineups with different units. The team only learned Irving would be unavailable as the year began. The Nets had guys in and out of the lineups due to COVID, non-COVID illness, injury, and personal reasons basically all year long. The Big 3 have only played two games this season. Had Nash desperately wanted to use the same rotations night-in-night-out, he simply never had the chance to do so.
So at least some of the stuff in the report, like Nash pointed out, doesn't sound like something Harden would say. Nash seemed dubious of these reports for good reason. However, he does seem to dismiss the full report because of one or two parts.
Even if the rotations bit were not true, that wouldn't necessarily mean there was no truth to the broader idea Harden is interested in exploring his options. It doesn't mean he isn't open to relocating to Philly. The Nets need to take these three measures to keep him happy in that's the case.
Earlier in the season, Nash was asked if there was truth to the recent reports about a “renewed optimism” that Kyrie Irving might return to the court. Nash made clear he believed the “boundaries are still the same as they were before.”
"I have connected with him…but not with any intel or insight that things are changing….I know he'd love to be playing but I think the boundaries are still the same as they were before recent reports."
-Steve Nash on the reports of 'renewed optimism' for Kyrie Irving return
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) December 14, 2021
Sure enough, just three days later, the Nets made the public decision to reinstate Irving. So it's also possible that Nash is simply not privy to every conversation that goes on behind the scenes (or has reason to downplay them publicly).
Harden has the unenviable task of being the lone member of the Big 3 to battle LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers, all while trying to ignore myriad trade rumors with himself at the epicenter. But Nets fans can at least take some solace knowing the head coach isn't buying the smoke.
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