NBA Rumors: James Harden Focused on Trade to Nets

James Harden is eyeing an exit from Houston after eight years with the Rockets, and his sights are reportedly set on a potential Eastern Conference superteam. 

Harden is "singularly focused," on a trade to the Nets, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The three-time scoring champion recently turned down a two-year, $103 million contract extension from Houston, per Wojnarowski. 

There's no guarantee Harden will be playing alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on opening night. There has been "no progress" in Harden's push to Brooklyn, and the Nets have not engaged in "meaningful dialogue" with Houston, per Wojnarowski. Harden is still under contract through 2021-22, and the Rockets could very well enter opening night with Harden on their roster. For now, Harden remains in Houston. But the 2017-18 MVP may have a new home sooner than later.

Check out the latest news and notes from around Hornets owner Michael Jordan would be interested in his team trying to deal for Rockets guard Russell Westbrook. (Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer)

• The Suns are finalizing a deal to acquire Chris Paul from the Thunder. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• The Mavericks are not interested in dealing for Jrue Holiday as the Pelicans are determined to trade him to the Eastern Conference. (Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News)
• After the Thunder's reported deals of Chris Paul and Dennis Schröder, rival executives believe OKC will continue to explore the trade market on center Steven Adams. (Michael Scotto, Hoops Hype)
• The Detroit Pistons are trading G Bruce Brown to the Brooklyn Nets for F Dzanan Musa and a 2021 second-round pick. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will decline his 2020-21 player option and enter free agency. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• Both Magic guard Evan Fournier and Hornets forward Nicolas Batum will exercise their player options for this season. (Shams Charania, The Athletic)
• Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan is opting into his $27.7 million player option for the 2020–21 season. (Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports)
• Free-agent Paul Millsap is expected to draw interest from the Trail Blazers. (Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer)
• Potential free agent Avery Bradley is expected to be courted by Golden State, Milwaukee and several contenders in an attempt to lure him away from the Lakers. (Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports)
• Milwaukee Bucks center Robin Lopez is declining his $5M player option and becoming a free agent. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• The Bucks are receiving Sacramento's Bogdan Bogdanovic in a sign-and-trade deal. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)