Nets' Steve Nash downplays James Harden trade rumors: 'I love our guys'

Harden has yet to show up to Rockets camp

12/7/2020, 7:08 PM
Steve Nash during Zoom call
Steve Nash during Zoom call

James Harden has yet to show up to training camp with the Houston Rockets, which once again brings the trade rumors back to Brooklyn. 

Head coach Steve Nash was asked about that "elephant in the room" on Monday during his media availability, and he was very honest about why he really isn't paying it any mind. 

“I guess we let the elephant be," he said. "I love our guys and hopefully they all feel valued and wanted and respected. We have so many guys that bring so much to the table. When I’m in the gym with them everyday, I feel fortunate. So hopefully they feel that and they don’t feel like we’re looking out the window at greener pastures.”

Nash was then asked about what he thinks, philosophically speaking, if another superstar merged with his already two stars on the roster: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving

The answer? Well, it depends. 

"I think depth obviously gives you an opportunity to support and to have versatility. But a lot of it comes down to how good is your depth? How good are the two stars versus the three stars? And how is the chemistry and all those ancillary factors," he explained. 

Adding more fuel to the trade rumor fire was Harden's mother, Monja Willis, responding to a fan on Instagram explaining where her son is coming from at the moment -- and maybe even confirmed his trade request. Willis has also acted as Harden's agent in the past. 

No matter the rumors or speculation, Nash is entirely focused on the team he spend time with on the court right now. If Brooklyn were to trade for Harden down the road, Nash would figure out how to make that work. 

But right now, he wants his players to know that they're "valued," like he said, and he'll continue working with them ahead of the new season. 

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