The trade rumors currently surrounding James Harden have prompted NBA fans to attack the Philadelphia 76ers superstar. Moreover, Harden’s recent action brought further attention to the rumors, causing fans to wonder if the news bore any truth to it. Earlier, the ‘Beard’ had dismissed the question with a dismissive reply when he was asked to clarify the possible trade. Harden neither accepted nor denied the claim. However, the possibility of Harden returning to his former team didn’t sit well with some fans.
The Sixers defeated the New York Knicks 119-112, marking their eighth straight win on Saturday night. However, the spotlight was already on Harden well before the game even began. About an hour earlier, reports of Harden’s possible trade back to his former side, the Houston Rockets, spread like wildfire. While the media began speculating on the rumors, most fans were not on board with the new development.
Rockets fans don’t want James Harden back
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James Harden recently dropped a comment on Houston Rockets star Josh Christopher’s picture. The Rockets shooting guard had uploaded a picture of him along with teammates Jalen Green and KJ Martin on his Instagram handle. The trio were well-dressed in suits complete with black shades.
View this post on Instagram
“Hot Boyz!!!!” commented Harden on the picture.
James Harden just commented on this intsagram post of Jalen Green, KJ Martin, and Josh Christopher 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eaplktpYst
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) December 29, 2022
This sparked further debate on his possible return to the Rockets. While most Rockets fans were enthusiastic about Harden’s return, there were several who were not too keen to have him back.
READ MORE -?10x NBA All-Star James Harden Could Play an UNO Reverse to Move Back to Former Team, Claim Trade Rumors
They claimed that they didn’t want Harden back, given that the NBA superstar had deliberately left the Rockets after making a trade request.
Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
The media wants him back in Houston while majority of fans don't.
Why do we want a guy who won't/ can't take you to the promise land? Why do we want a guy who quit on this team to get trade to where he wanted to go?
— Riz (@VandyRiz) December 29, 2022
It’s happening.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) December 29, 2022
Don't need him back pic.twitter.com/QxmsN6G9x0
— WhoIsSimianRapid? (@TrashmanOrigins) December 29, 2022
Come on home James pic.twitter.com/Ei3iShL8Kf
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) December 29, 2022
People are so blind. The guy has been a quitter for the past 3 seasons. He’s mentally weak in clutch situations. He’s ran off of or had problems with every star teammate. Yet y’all want him to be the locker room veteran for the Rockets youngsters? Y’all clearly only watch stats.
— RobCydH-town (@RobcydhT) December 29, 2022
It's happening… He's coming back home #rockets pic.twitter.com/aPYvLsDDNK
— kesho (@deyoparwot) December 29, 2022
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Harden requests trade from the Rockets
James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2012. The 10x NBA All-Star played for nine seasons before abruptly asking for a trade from the team in 2020. According to Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN, Harden had asked to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, seeing that there was no such possibility, he expressed his wish to be traded to the Sixers.
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The six-time All-NBA First Team eventually joined the Nets in 2021 as part of a four-team trade, before joining the Sixers in 2022.
Do you think James Harden will return to the Houston Rockets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.