HOUSTON ā James Harden practiced with the Houston Rockets on Monday for the first time this season after missing the early part of camp while talk swirls that he wants out.
Harden reported to camp late amid reports he is looking to be traded. He was absent for Houstonās first two preseason games as he went through the NBAās COVID-19 testing protocols.
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Coach Stephen Silas said he spoke with the superstar Monday, but they talked strictly basketball and neither addressed a possible trade.
āWe had a good conversation and Iām just going to leave it at that,ā Silas said. āYou can ask him about his commitment and all that sort of thing. But we had a good conversation. He was locked in. He was asking good questions. Heās bringing up good points.ā
So far asking Harden anything hasnāt been an option ā the Beard hasnāt spoken to reporters since reporting to camp.
Silas said that Harden will make his preseason debut Tuesday night when the Rockets host the Spurs.
The Rockets traded Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a first-round pick on Dec. 2 to cap a short offseason that was plagued by rumors that both Westbrook and Harden wanted to leave Houston. Some thought the Westbrook trade would change Hardenās mind about the Rockets, but the reports that he wants to leave have persisted in the almost two weeks since the deal.
Silas, in his first year in Houston after taking over for Mike DāAntoni, has said he expects Harden to be āall inā this season. The coach also denied that speculation about the eight-time All-Star's future has been a distraction to the team.
āItās been something that the media has been talking about quite a bit and Iāve had to answer a lot of questions about it,ā Silas said. āBut as far as our growth and our pushing forward this season, weāve been right on pace.ā
Veteran P.J. Tucker also practiced Monday after missing the first two preseason games. He is being worked in slowly after he reported to camp a day late.
Tucker is in the final year of a four-year, $31.8 million contract and some have suggested he is also unhappy in Houston because he hasnāt been given an extension. He did speak to reporters Monday but didnāt provide much clarity on the situation.
āIt not even just in the contract extension,ā he said. āThatās not the total goal. The goal is to be in a place where you youāre wanted, where you want to be ... thatās what every player wants. No one wants to be somewhere they donāt want them. And thereās certain ways to show that and itās not just contract extensions.ā
Tucker was asked if he feels the Rockets no longer want him.
āYou should ask them. Because youāre asking me a question about what they think, and I canāt tell you,ā he said.
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