James Harden to Join Rockets Practice on Monday Amid Trade Rumors, Per HC Silas

Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas confirmed James Harden will practice with the team Monday. 

Harden missed the start of training camp and reported to the Rockets this past Tuesday. Because he arrived late, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the 2017-18 MVP would need to test negative for COVID-19 for six straight days before he'd be cleared to practice.

This is all unfolding amid constant rumors and speculation regarding Harden's future in Houston.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Nov. 16 he had declined a two-year, $103 million extension and instead "made it clear to ownership that he's singularly focused on a trade to the Brooklyn Nets." His decision to party in Las Vegas and Atlanta rather than remain in his home market was seen by some as a power play to force the team's hand.

Harden can't opt out of his contract until 2022, so the Rockets don't need to feel compelled to trade him now for what they'd consider a lesser return than he's worth. A trade feels inevitable nonetheless because superstars almost always leave eventually after indicating they'd rather be elsewhere.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the eight-time All-Star added the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks to his list of preferred landing spots, which already included the Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. Marc Stein of the New York Times reported the Sixers could be a key player despite any bad blood between Sixers general manager Daryl Morey and his former employer:

The Rockets have a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, and the teams return to the court Thursday to face each other again. Considering he's only just now getting back to practice, Harden may not factor much into either encounter. The season opener Dec. 23 against the Oklahoma City Thunder might be his first time suiting back up for Houston.

Once Harden is back in action, the conversation will inevitably shift away from the trade rumors to some extent, but the issue will linger until there's a firm resolution one way or the other.