Steve Nash shuts down Harden trade rumors: 'He wants to be here'
With absolute language, Steve Nash tried to squash the idea of trading James Harden. The Nets coach, faced with an ugly losing streak and rumors swirling about Harden’s desire to relocate to the Sixers, said his All-Star guard has not waned from his commitment to Brooklyn.
“I’ve talked to James and he wants to be here,” Nash said. “And he wants to be here long term as well.”
Then asked if that means the Nets are not dealing Harden, the coach said, simply, “Yes.”
Source: Stefan Bondy of NY Daily News
ANALYSIS: Despite a previous report suggesting the Brooklyn Nets were now open to engage in trade talks centered around Harden, head coach Steve Nash attempted to put an end to those rumors Sunday afternoon in Denver.
Here is more from Nash shortly before tip-off today vs. the Nuggets (NY Daily News):
“This has been a constant thing since the summer,” Nash said. “He’s continually reiterated that he wants to be here, and we’ve continually said that we want him here and that that’s our best chance to win. So nothing’s changed.”
“We think when he’s healthy and Kevin’s healthy and Kyrie plays, our team is a totally different team,” Nash said before Sunday’s tip-off against the Nuggets. “And we’re excited by it.”