Report: James Harden Considering 'Pushing' to Leave Rockets Amid Trade Rumors

Three-time NBA scoring champion James Harden's time with the Houston Rockets may be ending shortly based on numerous rumors, and ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Zach Lowe and Adrian Wojnarowski dropped another note Sunday indicating that could be the case.

"Harden has been increasingly uneasy about the Rockets' ability to compete for an NBA title and has been considering the possibility of pushing to play elsewhere before his contract expires, sources said."

Harden is in the middle of a four-year, $171.1 million deal. He has two guaranteed years left on his deal and a player option for 2022-23, per Spotrac.

The 31-year-old scored an NBA-high 34.3 points per game last year alongside 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds.

Reports about Harden's future whereabouts have dropped from numerous sources this week.

Wojnarowski, Shelburne and Lowe also noted that Harden views the Brooklyn Nets as a potential destination via trade, to the point where it is No. 1 on his list. Wojnarowski wrote that the idea of teaming with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on the Nets is "resonating" with Harden.

However, Shams Charania and Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported Wednesday that Harden is committed to Houston next season and that he is "locked in." He has reportedly returned to Houston to work out before the team begins training camp on Dec. 1.

There has been other reported drama, though, with Wojnarowski and colleague Tim MacMahon noting that Harden and Russell Westbrook were concerned with the direction of the franchise amid the departures of president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D'Antoni.

The NBA season is scheduled to begin on Dec. 22. The draft is Wednesday, and free-agency negotiations can start Friday.