Rockets CEO denies report that Harden pushed for McHale firing, Howard trade

Houston Rockets chief executive officer Tad Brown granted a rare interview with reporters Thursday, in an effort to squash speculation of a palace coup of sorts by franchise player James Harden.

"I can tell you unequivocally, being part of that ... those things have never happened," Brown said, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins.

Brown was referring to a report earlier in the day that Harden pushed for the firing of ex-coach Kevin McHale and later lobbied general manager Daryl Morey to trade center Dwight Howard.

"That's frustrating, and, for whatever reason, it's been a constant throughout this season," Brown said. "As we struggle and as we continue to struggle a little bit on the court ... people have continued to take shots at our guys, take shots at our team, with unnamed sources being the ones who routinely provide that information."

McHale, who averaged 55 wins per season in his last two full years as coach and helped lead the Rockets to the 2015 Western Conference Finals, was fired after a 4-7 start to this season. Howard was reportedly shopped heavily prior to last week's trade deadline, but no deal was made.

"It's disappointing and it's bothersome from the standpoint of James doesn't deserve this, Dwight doesn't deserve (this)," said Brown, who reports to team owner Leslie Alexander.

Rumors about the relationship between Harden and Howard being shaky have circulated for some time.

The Rockets, one of the NBA's final four teams last season, are currently struggling just to stay in playoff position. While Harden and Howard are putting up typically solid numbers, the team frequently looks out of sync on both sides of the ball.

Howard can opt out of his contract this summer.