The 3-time scoring champ reportedly is headed to Brooklyn in a deal involving Houston, Indiana and Cleveland.
James Harden is heading to Brooklyn, joining old teammate Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to give the Nets a potent trio of the some of the NBA’s highest scorers.
The Nets agreed to acquire the three-time scoring champion from the Houston Rockets on Wednesday in a move he has sought for weeks, said a person with knowledge of the situation.
Harden is the centerpiece of a four-team deal that also involves Indiana and Cleveland, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade call with the NBA — which signs off on all deals — has not been completed.
Harden’s relationship with the Rockets has soured over recent days after he was told to stay away from team practice.
That came after Harden publicly vented his frustration at the team’s performances following a second consecutive defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can,” Harden told a news conference. “I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.
“We’re not even close, honestly, to that team – obviously the defending champions – and all the other elite teams out there. I mean, you can tell the difference in these last two games.
“We’re just not good enough – chemistry, talent-wise, just everything.”
Harden was not at the team’s practice on Wednesday and has been told to stay away until a trade for the 2018 MVP can be completed.
The Rockets (3-6) are second from bottom of the Western Conference following Tuesday’s 117-100 loss to the Lakers.
They lost to the same team 120-102 on Sunday.An out-of-form Harden has scored 20 points or fewer in each of the past four games – his longest such stretch since 2011-12.
Several reports in the lead-up to the season said Harden was seeking a trade from the Rockets, though the guard had previously batted away the speculation.