Report: Harden growing open to trade to Nets

Houston Rockets guard James Harden is warming up to the idea of a trade to the Brooklyn Nets that would potentially pair him with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne, and Zach Lowe.

The Rockets reportedly have not held any discussions with the Nets and new general manager Rafael Stone has told teams they intend to "run it back" with Harden next season. However, the eight-time All-Star is said to be weighing his future in Houston.

Harden has begun to consider pursuing a trade due to growing doubts about the Rockets' ability to contend for a title, sources told Wojnarowski, Shelburne, Lowe.

Houston's trajectory has come into focus this offseason after the franchise parted ways with head coach Mike D'Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey, who had both been with the club for several years. The Rockets replaced D'Antoni and Morey with Stephen Silas and Stone, respectively, but both are entering those positions for the first time in their careers.

Harden's star teammate Russell Westbrook reportedly told Rockets officials earlier he wanted to leave the team. Harden has not spoken publicly about his future but apparently said he was "locked in" to the franchise and the upcoming season in response to Westbrook's apparent trade request.

Durant and Harden have recently spoken about reuniting in Brooklyn, according to Wojnarowski, Shelburne, and Lowe. The two were teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder for three seasons before the team traded Harden to Houston in 2012.

Harden has averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists, and six rebounds while shooting 36.2% from three since joining the Rockets. The former MVP has also led the league in scoring in each of the last three seasons. His 36.1 points per game in 2018-19 was the highest scoring average since Michael Jordan finished the 1986-87 campaign with 37.1 points per contest.

The 31-year-old will earn $41.3 million next season.