Why are these teams?
Kelly Iko, Rockets beat writer: Harden made it clear that his greatest desire is to win a championship and he does not believe that it can be achieved in Houston. As such, Harden’s roster of teams are places he considers candidates – Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Miami, Boston and Portland. Although his recent actions have cost him some money and given the Rockets more trouble than they would like, Harden’s stance has not diminished, nor has Houston’s. Their growing list of destinations just aligns with the reality that some teams may be unable to agree on a deal.
What this means?
Iko: For Houston, it doesn’t change things much. The Rockets remain committed to making the best decision for the organization. Ideally, they would keep Harden and play throughout the season, trying to persuade him that the Rockets are still a viable candidate. At the same time, if a deal came up with what Houston is looking for in return – a combination of talent it now earns and summoned capital – they would accept it and leave Harden.
(Photo: Kim Klement / USA Today)