James Harden has missed only one game since injuring his right foot on Feb. 12. (Rockey Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

James Harden will be a game-time decision for Friday night’s game against the Timberwolves according to Rockets head coach Kevin McHale.

Harden has been nursing a sore right foot since injuring it on Feb. 12 against Golden State. He has missed only one game, and averaged 26.9 points, 7 assists and 4.6 rebounds in the last 10 games.

“We’ll see how he feels tonight,” said McHale following Friday morning’s shootaround. “James has got a couple things going on in his foot that’s bothering him. We’ve just got to figure out what approach is going to help him maintain at least the amount of healing that needs to take place from here on out. I mean, ideally, you’d say yeah, we take three weeks off, but I don’t think we’re at that point. He’s got to figure out how much rest and activity he can do and still get some healing into that foot.

“I want his foot to be better a week from today and I also want him to be able to play if he can. He’s our top guy, but if those are not compatible then you’ve got to make some other decisions.”

Harden said he hopes to play against Minnesota, but wouldn’t commit after the shootaround.

“That’s my intention every game,” he said. “Now whether I can play before the game, that’s a different story. But my intention is to go out there and compete every night. We’re trying to make the playoffs. I’ve got to look at the bigger picture.

“It’s just the same injury I had since the Golden State game – just some throbbing in my right foot. But it’s nothing too crazy … I’m a little bit more cautious now because the way I hurt it was when I was trying to ‘Euro’ and stepped on David Lee’s foot, so I’m just trying to be more cautious with what I do and where I plant.

The Wizards reportedly turned down a deal for guard James Harden. (Bill Baptist/Getty Images)

The Washington Wizards refused a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard James Harden over the summer because the Wizards owner was not willing to commit to giving Harden a maximum contract, reports the Washington Post. 

The paper says that Wizards owner Ted Leonsis was unwilling to commit to a five-year deal worth $80 million for Harden. The proposed deal would have sent rookie guard Bradley Beal and forward Chris Singleton to the Thunder for Harden.  Harden, last season’s Sixth Man of the Year award winner, was eventually traded to the Houston Rockets in October and signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the team. Harden, 23, is fifth in the NBA in scoring average with 24.7 points per game.

Leonsis, Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld and Thunder General Manager Sam Presti all declined comment when asked about the proposed trade. One Wizards official denied that Oklahoma City had offered Harden in exchange for Beal and Singleton, stating that the Thunder was also seeking an established player — which the Wizards didn’t have — in return. “That’s not true,” the official said about the proposed deal.

The Wizards have the league’s worst record at 2-15 entering Tuesday’s game against the New Orleans Hornets.

Michael Jordan tried to bring James Harden to Oklahoma City. (Davi Cannon, Getty Images)

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan has admitted that he tried to attract James Harden to Charlotte before the swingman signed an extension with the Houston Rockets.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Jordan noted that the Bobcats may not be the most ideal destination for free agents given their small-market stature, but that didn’t stop him from trying to get the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sixth man.

Q: James Harden was just traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets. Were the Bobcats ever in the mix to acquire him?

A: “We made a couple phone calls. That’s all I can say.’’

Q: Do you still believe a major free agent would come to the Bobcats?

A: “If the (collective bargaining agreement) operates the way it’s supposed to, there will be very few teams with the right cap space (to pursue major free agents). Hopefully we can start picking them off that way, by maintaining our flexibility. Maybe we can provide them with the financial reward most players are starting to look for. Hoping the CBA will work that way for small-market teams – some parity.’’

James Harden will reportedly sign a five-year, $80 million contract with the Rockets. (Bill Baptist/Getty Images)

James Harden will reportedly sign a five-year, $80 million contract with the Houston Rockets, less than a week after he reportedly turned down a four-year extension worth $52 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to tweets this afternoon from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. As per the policy for all members of the 2009 NBA Draft Class, Harden has until 5 p.m. EST today to sign the deal or risk becoming a restricted free agent July 2013.

Harden, the 2012 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, was traded to the Rockets Oct. 28 after three seasons in Oklahoma City. He averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 31 minutes per game last season for the Thunder. As the starting shooting guard for the Rockets, Harden will now share a backcourt with Jeremy Lin, who the Rockets acquired during the offseason from the New York Knicks. The Rockets have committed $50 million over three years for Lin and Turkish big man Omer Asik, the former Chicago Bulls center who signed with Houston this offseason, as well as the $80 million which will now be owed to Harden over the next five years.

The Rockets tip off their season tonight in Detroit against the Pistons.

James Harden has agreed to a 5 year, $80 million deal with Houston, source tells Y!—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) October 31, 2012

Dwyane Wade called the Thunder’s dealing of James Harden to the Rockets “shocking” on Sunday. (AFP/Getty Images)

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade called the Oklahoma City Thunder’s trade of James Harden to the Houston Rockets “shocking.”

“It was shocking but they made the move they felt was right for them,” Wade said, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

“It shakes up the West a little bit. I think both team got fair value. I’m not a GM or anything but both teams came out pretty good.”

Wade’s Heat beat the Thunder in five games last season to win the NBA title.

The defending Western Conference champion Thunder stunned much of the NBA world by dealing Harden on Sunday, which broke up Oklahoma City’s young, talented nucleus. In return, the Rockets sent back guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick.

The Thunder and Harden had been unable to come to an agreement on a multi-year extension that would have kept him locked up along with fellow young stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. The two sides had to agree to a deal by Oct. 31, or Harden would have become a restricted free agent next July.

Harden said Sunday that he expects to sign a long-term extension with the Rockets.

“It happened so fast, it happened very fast,” Harden said. “But this is the position I’m in now. Just have to make the best out of it. I’m with Houston now. I just have to come in here and play hard and win games.”

The Thunder traded All-Star guard James Harden to the Houston Rockets for several players, picks and cash. (Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded All-Star guard James Harden to the Houston Rockets Saturday night, reports Yahoo! Sports.

The Rockets in turn sent guards Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and future draft considerations to Oklahoma City for Harden. The Thunder will send center Cole Aldridge, forward Lazr Hayward and guard Daquan Cook to the Rockets.

Houston will also send two 2013 first-round picks  (from Dallas and Toronto) to the Thunder.

Sources say that the Thunder and Harden were not able to reach an extension and Thunder general manager Sam Presti moved quickly to trade him.

“We wanted to sign James to an extension, but at the end of the day, these situations have to work for all those involved. Our ownership group again showed their commitment to the organization with several significant offers,” Presti said in a statement. “We were unable to reach a mutual agreement, and therefore executed a trade that capitalized on the opportunity to bring in a player of Kevin’s caliber, a young talent like Jeremy and draft picks, which will be important to our organizational goal of a sustainable team. We appreciate James, Cole, Daequan and Lazar’s contributions to the Thunder organization and this community and wish them the best in the future.”

Harden, last season’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year, recently turned down a four-year offer worth about $52 million. Harden had been asking for a maximum contract worth $60 million.

Houston plans to give James Harden a four year, $60 million extension once deal is completed, league sources tell Y! Sports.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) October 28, 2012

Would James Harden benefit from living in low-key OKC? (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Whether or not the Oklahoma City Thunder can or will re-sign sixth-man scorer James Harden is a prominent NBA storyline.

Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson thinks she’s found another reason for Harden to re-sign with the Thunder and it has to do with the revelation — via Internet party pics — that Harden, like many NBA players, likes to party.

If Carlson’s name sounds familiar, she’s the same journalist whose 2007 column on former quarterback Bobby Reid set off Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy’s now famous “I’m a man, I’m forty!” viral video and catchphrase.

Here’s why she thinks Harden can benefit from playing in OKC and partying elsewhere:

Everyone thinks Oklahoma City needs James Harden.

Turns out, it might be the other way around.

Have you seen pictures from the All-White Yacht Party?

James Harden said “of course” he will consider signing with the Phoenix Suns as a restricted free agent next summer. (Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

James Harden is set to become a restricted free agent next summer and he already confirmed that the Phoenix Suns are one team he’ll consider, according to a report from Dan Bickley of The Arizona Republic.

When asked in London over the weekend whether he would consider playing for the Suns, Harden, a standout star at Arizona State, said:

“Yeah,” he said. “Of course. I love it there. My mom lives there still. So that’s definitely my second home as far as my comfort level and going to school there. But obviously, I’m with the Thunder right now and what we have is special.”

While Harden is correct, the Oklahoma City Thunder do, in fact, have something special right now, the team will likely have to go over the luxury tax if Thunder executives intend to keep their core intact.

The Thunder have already signed their franchise player Kevin Durant to a long-term deal as well as the team’s point guard, Russell Westbrook. But the Thunder will pay over $35 million to Durant and Westbrook in 2015, leaving Harden and the team’s anchor on defense in the frontcourt, Serge Ibaka, to consider a salary cut to keep the team from going over the luxury tax and paying harsh penalties.

Harden is set to make $5.8 million next season, while Ibaka will make $2.2 million. Both players could command max-contracts as free-agents after next season. The Thunder will have three days to match any offer Harden receives because he is a restricted free-agent.

While Harden knows he has a good thing going with the Thunder — they lost to the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in June — the Suns could be a team that he hears from after next season. Phoenix revamped its roster this offseason, letting two-time MVP Steve Nash go to the Los Angeles Lakers and veteran Grant Hill sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. But the team brought back Goran Dragic from the Houston Rockets and also acquired Dragic’s teammate in Houston, Luis Scola, and Michael Beasley from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Suns will have the cap space to go after another marquee free agent next summer.

But Harden knows that ultimately, his fate is not entirely his decision:

“That’s out of my hands,” Harden said. “That’s not my decision. That’s the front office. I’ll let them decide that.”

Durant, Westbrook and Harden are currently in London as members of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team. Ibaka is also at the Games playing for the Spanish national team.

After a series of injuries led to uncertainty over the United States’ roster for this summer’s London Olympics, the pieces are coming together ahead of this weekend’s announcement: Blake Griffin will make the team and five other players are in the running for the team’s last two spots, reports CBSSports.com‘s Jeff Goodman on Twitter.

Olympic Team announced Saturday. Blake Griffin expected to take Chris Bosh's spot, sources told CBSSports.

—
Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) July 03, 2012

Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay, James Harden, Andre Iguodala and Anthony Davis will battle for final two spots on Olympic Team, source told CBSSports

—
Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) July 03, 2012

Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will all miss the Olympics with various injuries. Lamar Odom also reportedly decided to skip the Games to concentrate on preparing to play for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Gordon and Harden would seem to fill similar roles on the team as offensive threats off the bench. Gay and Iguodala are also similar. Both could likely play both forward spots in international competition. Iguodala would likely be a better fit as a defensive stopper for the team.

The wild card is former Kentucky star and recent No. 1 draft pick Anthony Davis. With the losses of Howard, Aldridge and Bosh, Team USA is lacking in big men. But Davis reportedly suffered a severe ankle sprain in a workout Monday and was believed to be out of consideration to make Team USA.

James Harden wants to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder and keep its core, including Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, together. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

James Harden wants to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a long time. The question is whether the Thunder can afford him and the rest of its young core.

Harden, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, said in exit interviews Saturday that “a dynasty is being built” in Oklahoma City, when asked whether money or team success was more important for him in the future, The Oklahoman‘s Darnell Mayberry reported.

Harden is eligible to sign a long-term extension to his rookie contract with the Thunder on July 1. Thunder general manager Sam Presti will have to get creative to be able to keep the team’s core — which, along with Harden, consists of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka — together to keep building that dynasty.

Ibaka is also eligible for an extension this offseason. Durant and Westbrook are already locked up to maximum contracts, and some see Harden as a player with potential to earn a maximum contract. Presti has one advantage — Harden wants to stay.

“This is something special here,” Harden told reporters. “A dynasty is being built here. So we’re winning, we’re having fun and we’re brothers. The other stuff, you can’t buy it.”

Coming off the bench for all but two games this season, Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He was stellar in the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs, but underwhelmed in the Finals loss to the Miami Heat, averaging 12.4 points on 37 percent shooting.

“This team is like a family,” Harden said. “Like, we’re really brothers. We hang out most of the time every single day. You won’t find any other team like this. I love it here.”

Metta World Peace called James Harden “no brain all beard” Sunday night following the Thunder’s Game 3 loss to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. (Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Metta World Peace, the Los Angeles Lakers small-forward who was suspended seven games for delivering an elbow to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden during a game at the end of the 2011-12 regular season, tweeted on Sunday night that Harden is “no brain all beard.”

The tweet came minutes after Harden picked up a blocking foul on LeBron James at half-court, as the Heat were up 88-85 with 16 seconds left in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Harden helped lead his Oklahoma City Thunder over Peace and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games during the 2012 Western Conference semifinals in May. Assuming both players remain with their respective teams through the NBA off-season, Harden and Peace will square off against each other three more times next season.

No brain
All beard—
Metta WorldPeace (@MettaWorldPeace) June 18, 2012

The Charlotte Bobcats are asking for names like Memphis’ Rudy Gay (above) or Oklahoma City’s James Harden in return for the No. 2 pick. (Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

The Charlotte Bobcats appear very interested in trading away the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, but they may be looking for too much in return.

Alex Kennedy, of Hoopsworld, broke down some of the rumors on Bobcats’ trade possibilities:

In recent weeks, Charlotte has been in contact with a number of teams and they’ve made it clear that the No. 2 pick is available. However, multiple league sources have said that the Bobcats are looking for a lot in return. They would like to add a face of the franchise player, which is why they’ve reportedly expressed interest in young stars like Rudy Gay and James Harden. If the Bobcats can’t use the pick to make a splashy move, they’ll likely draft Thomas Robinson. However, Charlotte continues to hold out hope that they can move the pick and bring in a player who can make an impact right away.

Uncertainty lies beyond Kentucky star Anthony Davis, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. The Bobcats aren’t sold on types like Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Kansas’ Thomas Robinson as franchise-altering players.

Between the two options of Harden and Gay, Oklahoma City’s Harden might be more of a realistic option. Both Harden and forward Serge Ibaka will be free agents for the Thunder after the 2012-13 season, and they may not be able to afford to keep both in addition to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

The Bobcats are coming off an all-time NBA worst winning percentage, finishing the 2011-12 season at 7-59.

James Harden is expected to be formally introduced today as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, according to The Oklahoman. The team has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon in which they are expected to make the announcement.

Harden played a major role off the bench this season for the Thunder. The 22-year-old has averaged 16.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game. Out of the Thunder’s 62 games this season, he started just two.

Last year, Harden averaged 12.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City.

Harden also received votes for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.

After a rash of injuries has put a sizable dent in the American basketball roster for the Olympics this summer, USA Basketball has made the decision to add James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Anthony Davis of the University of Kentucky, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports has learned.

Yahoo! Sports has received confirmation that USA Basketball will add Thunder F James Harden & Kentucky F-C Anthony Davis, a source said.

—
Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) May 03, 2012

LaMarcus Aldridge, Chauncey Billups, Dwight Howard, Kevin Love and Derrick Rose are among the notable members of Team USA to come down with significant injuries in the last two months. The program was in desperate need of another guard and another big man, and these additions appear to fit those needs.

“After reviewing our roster, we think these two additions strengthen our National Team program immeasurably,” USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo told Spears.

Andrew Bynum, Josh Smith and Rajon Rondo are among the American stars still on the outside looking in at the roster for Team USA; more additions to the roster could still be to come. Preliminary rounds of this summer’s Games don’t get underway until July 29.

James Harden has recovered from the concussion he sustained Sunday when Metta World Peace elbowed him in the head; the Oklahoma City Thunder reserve guard has been cleared to play but will nonetheless sit out tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets, according to Royce Young of DailyThunder.

“We decided as a group to hold him out one more game and give him 24 more hours,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “He should be fine in our recovery practice tomorrow as a team and our practice Friday.”

Harden left in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and did not return; he sat out last night’s win over the Sacramento Kings as well. In order to gain medical clearance for a return, he had to pass the league’s mandatory concussion tests led by Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher.

With Harden now back in the fold, Brooks says he’s not concerned about any lingering health effects in the aftermath of the concussion.

“I don’t think so. He’s fine,” the coach said. “He’s a tough individual. He’s a competitive player. He’ll be fine.”

It’s unclear whether he’s sorry, or merely sorry for being caught — but in any event, Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace posted an apology on his personal website last night, following the announcement that he’d been suspended seven games for elbowing James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder fans and the OKC organization,” World Peace wrote. “I look foward to getting back on the floor with my teammates and competing for the Lakers fans.”

World Peace was suspended seven games with only one left to play — the Lakers conclude their regular-season slate tomorrow against the Sacramento Kings. So if World Peace is to return this season, it will either be seven games into L.A.’s postseason run, or next season if the Lakers are eliminated in the first round this spring.

The Lakers, 41-24 this season, clinched the Pacific Division title with the L.A. Clippers’ loss last night to the Atlanta Hawks. They will be seeded No. 3 in the Western Conference playoffs beginning this weekend, meaning they’ll face either the Denver Nuggets or Dallas Mavericks.

As for Harden, he tweeted yesterday that his condition was “solid”; he’s not expected to miss significant time.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Metta World Peace will be suspended seven games without pay for elbowing Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden Sunday, the NBA announced via Twitter Tuesday.

Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers suspended 7 games without pay for Sunday's Flagrant Foul Two on James Harden.—
  (@NBA) April 24, 2012

Harden was left with a concussion after the incident, and World Peace was given a flagrant 2.

Depending on the success of the Lakers moving forward, it is possible that World Peace’s season could be over.

James Harden, who had to leave Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after being violently elbowed in the head by Metta World Peace, tweeted to his fans today to let them know he is okay.

Im solid. Feeling good. Appreciate y’all for checking on me!!

— James Harden (@JHarden13) April 24, 2012

Harden received a concussion after the devastating blow to the head from World Peace’s elbow.  World Peace had just dunked the ball in traffic, and when running back to the end of the court in celebration, he threw his left elbow into the back of Harden’s head.

In 62 games this season the 22-year-old has averaged 16.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He is considered by many to be the leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden has been officially diagnosed with a concussion, and his timetable for return is unknown, according to the Oklahoman.

Harden received the concussion after a devastating blow to the head from Metta World Peace’s elbow.  World Peace had just dunked the ball in traffic, and when running back to the end of the court in celebration, he threw his left elbow into the back of Harden’s head.

Harden left the game and was unable to return. World Peace has since apologized for the incident, but potentially faces a major suspension.

According to new NBA concussion rules, the third year standout will have to pass a series of rigorous tests before he can return to action for the Thunder. Oklahoma City is slotted to begin post season play this weekend.

In 62 games this season the 22-year-old has averaged 16.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He is considered by many to be the leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.

After elbowing Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden in the head and forcing him out of the game, Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace apologized after the game, according to the LA Times.

In the locker room after the game World Peace said to reporters, “It’s unfortunate that James had to get hit with an unintentional elbow. I hope he’s OK. The Thunder. they’re playing for a championship this year. I really hope he’s OK and I apologize to the Thunder and to James Harden. It was such a great game. It was unfortunate so much emotion was going on at that time. That’s it for today.”

After World Peace’s brief statement, a Lakers official interrupted and advised the ejected player not to speak on it further, World Peace provided more explanations via Twitter.

Despite changing his name to Metta World Peace, the Lakers’ forward has continued his history of violence on the court.  Last season, he earned a one-game suspension for his ejection last year in Game 2 of the 2011 Western Conference semifinals against Dallas after delivering a clothesline to J.J. Barea.  Among several others, his worst incident was in 2004 when he sustained an 86-game suspension for going into the stands and fighting with a Detroit fan.  The NBA has yet to deliver a suspension to World Peace for throwing an elbow in last night’s game.

Los Angeles Laker legend Magic Johnson has never shied away from sharing his opinions on his old ballclub, and today was no exception. After witnessing the vicious elbow that the Lakers’ Metta World Peace leveled into James Harden’s head, Magic had some choice words for the artist formerly known as Ron Artest:

.@MettaWorldPeace needs to get his emotions under control. That elbow on Harden will get him suspended.

—
Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 23, 2012

World Peace emphatically pounded his chest and waved his arms while celebrating a dunk in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 114-106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder; in the midst of his celebration, he hit Harden square in the head and drove him to the ground. Harden left the game with what was later diagnosed as a concussion; World Peace received a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected.

More than likely, World Peace is facing a hefty suspension for the elbow.

Oklahoma City Thunder bench star James Harden had to leave today’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after taking an elbow to the head from Metta World Peace — and now the news out of L.A. isn’t good, according to ESPN. Harden has a concussion.

Reports: James Harden diagnosed with concussion after taking elbow to head from Metta World Peace

—
  (@SportsCenter) April 23, 2012

Late in the second quarter of the Lakers’ eventual double-overtime win, World Peace broke away in transition and finished with emphatic dunk; celebrating seconds later, he pounded his chest and swung both arms behind him to push Harden out of the way. His left elbow hit Harden square in the head.

Harden fell to the floor and was down for a minute; Thunder teammate Serge Ibaka threatened a confrontation with World Peace but was restrained.

World Peace faces a likely suspension for the elbow — and with only one game left in the regular season for L.A. (Thursday against the Sacramento Kings), it’s looking quite possible that the Lakers’ forward sits out at least some of the team’s first playoff series.