The James Harden Saga Continues: The Clock's Ticking for Houston

Where will James Harden play next?

That's the question every National Basketball Association (NBA) fan is asking nowadays as we're just weeks away from the start of the 2020-2021 NBA regular season For many, the fact that the Houston Rockets already sent Russell Westbrook packing for Washington is a clear indication that a trade involving James Harden is already inevitable. For many, a Harden-John Wall backcourt tandem will not make the Rockets a serious title contender. And with a new head coach in Stephen Silas, that apparently pushed Harden to request to be traded to a contender.

The good news is: there are multiple teams who are rumored to be interested in trading for James Harden. 

The bad news is: they are rumors. For now.

Recently, James Harden added the Milwaukee Bucks, the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Brooklyn Nets as his preferred trade destinations. The Rockets reportedly aren't interested in sending the 2017 Most Valuable Player (MVP) to Brooklyn unless the Nets include Kevin Durant in the deal. The 76ers are looking to keep the Ben Simmons-Joel Embiid tandem intact but if Philadelphia endures another slow start to the new season, that could change the tone of the front office. The Bucks are still trying to secure Giannis Antetokounmpo for the long run and while adding James Harden could give the Bucks a legitimate star to play alongside the reigning back-to-back MVP. who will the Bucks send to Houston for Harden? The Miami Heat may have been tagged as one of the favorites to land Harden but that will include trading either Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson- something that is unlikely to happen due to the growing relationship between Jimmy Butler and the two young players. The Golden State Warriors are also in the mix after losing Klay Thompson to another season-ending injury although the Warriors aren't looking to make any move on Harden anytime soon as they prefer to build something for the future rather than to enjoy another short-term success. 

James Harden is still a top-tier NBA player who can top 40 points at any given time and yet, teams remain wary primarily because James Harden is a ball-dominant player. 

The preseason is set to open next week and the regular season opens on December 22 (December 23 Manila time). The Rockets are running out of time and option to trade James Harden. And while he has already shown up for training camp, the inevitability still remains.  James Harden's time in Texas is soon coming to an end. It's just the question of when.  

Photo is from CBS Sports