Steve Nash on James Harden-Nets Trade Rumors: 'I Haven't Had Any Conversations'

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash confirmed he hasn't spoken with members of his organization about James Harden amid rumors the Houston Rockets star is looking for a trade to the franchise.

"I haven't had any conversations about him or any alerts," Nash told reporters Friday. "We're excited about the players we have."

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski reported Dec. 14 that Rockets officials had reached out to the Nets about a possible swap and that "Brooklyn remains Harden's top choice."

Nash's comments could provide some insight into how far apart Houston and Brooklyn are in negotiations.

From the moment Wojnarowski first reported in November that Harden turned down an extension with an eye toward a trade to the Nets, Brooklyn didn't make a lot of sense as a destination.

For one, the Nets don't have a wealth of assets to acquire a player of Harden's caliber. Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are solid pieces but nowhere near an All-NBA level. LeVert turned 26 in August, too, so he isn't a good fit on a team that might be looking at a transitional phase or total rebuild.

Including Kyrie Irving appears to be a nonstarter, per Shelburne and Wojnarowski. Brooklyn isn't making him available, and Houston hasn't shown any level of interest in the six-time All-Star. 

Perhaps acknowledging his first choice might be off the table, The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania reported Dec. 10 that Harden added the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat to his list of preferred landing spots. Sam Amick and Kelly Iko of The Athletic followed up Thursday to say he has warmed to the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers, too.

It's entirely possible Nash was being coy and downplaying the extent to which internal conversations about Harden have unfolded. But nobody will be surprised if the topic isn't gaining much traction in Brooklyn given all of the factors involved.