Harden says he was 'training' for season while in Vegas, Atlanta

James Harden broke his silence Wednesday for the first time since reporting to Houston Rockets training camp, offering an explanation for his absence as he was spotted partying in Las Vegas and Atlanta earlier this month.

"I was just training," Harden said about his trips, courtesy of ESPN 97.5's Salman Ali.

When asked what he was training for, Harden replied: "The start of the NBA season."

He then suggested his "personal trainers" were in Las Vegas and Atlanta, explaining why he wasn't with the rest of the team in Houston.

Harden's future with the Rockets has been cast into doubt in recent weeks after he reportedly requested a trade. The apparent ask followed an already busy offseason for Houston that saw it replace head coach Mike D'Antoni with Stephen Silas and general manager Daryl Morey with Rafael Stone. The Rockets also traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall, though that move apparently hasn't curbed Harden's supposed desire for a trade.

On Wednesday, Harden wouldn't confirm whether a potential exit was still on his mind with the new season set to tip off in six days.

"Right now, I'm just focused on being here," he said, via SportsTalk 790, when asked if he still wanted to be traded. "Today was good, yesterday felt really good being out there (for the) first time since the bubble."

Harden was also asked about his relationship with Stone, and if he trusts him as he did Morey, but revealed the two "haven't had a conversation" since Stone took over as GM, according to SportsRadio 610's Adam Spolane.

The three-time scoring champion took part in his first game of the preseason Tuesday, recording 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals in 21 minutes in a win over the San Antonio Spurs. Houston has one more preseason contest remaining - Thursday against the Spurs - before it opens its season next Wednesday at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder.