James Harden further fuels trade rumours with blunt two-word response

An NBA superstar has stoked the trade rumour fire after delivering a brutal response to a simple question surrounding his mood in Houston.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets controls the ball during the first half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on December 17, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

James Harden has only added fuel to the trade rumour fire surrounding his time in Houston with a blunt two-word response to a reporter’s question on Tuesday.

Harden made his intentions clear before the Rockets returned to training camp that he was seeking a trade to another franchise, but many thought his stance may change once he rejoined the team.

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On Tuesday he made it abundantly clear his position on wanting out of Houston hadn’t changed, even after he joined the team and new star teammate John Wall.

“James now that you’ve been in camp for about a week, do you feel any better about this situation now than you did before you arrived?” Harden was asked. His blunt response couldn’t have made his stance any clearer.

“Next question,” he responded as he stared down the camera.

"Next question." 🍿👀

James Harden on if he feels better about the Houston situation now that he's in training camp.

(via @SalmanAliNBA) pic.twitter.com/os8mAjFmqX

— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) December 21, 2020

Harden has been linked with several NBA teams since telling the Rockets he wanted out, with the Philadelphia 76ers emerging as the early contender to land the MVP’s services.

In order to facilitate the trade however, it would require the Sixers to cough up Aussie superstar Ben Simmons along with draft picks and potentially one more player.

Simmons is on the outer in Philadelphia after reportedly being “made available” by the Sixers in their trade talks with Houston. Simmons is reportedly being used as the key plank in the Sixers’ trade package offer to the Rockets.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported Simmons has been put on the table by the Sixers, but there has been no momentum in the trade talks between the two teams so far.

Charania also posted a response from Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey on Twitter in which the new boss dismissed the widespread reports.

“We are not trading Ben Simmons — he is an important part of our future,” Morey said.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne also reported the Rockets are continuing to pursue trade options with rival teams outside of Harden’s preferred destinations of Philadelphia and Brooklyn.

Originally published as James Harden further fuels trade rumours with blunt two-word response