NBA Rumors: Rockets, James Harden, Bucks, Raptors, Roster Changes

Rockets

The Rockets remain a “real suitor” of 76ers star guard James Harden in free agency, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

“Harden did a one-plus-one deal (with the Sixers) and will opt out of that,’ Wojnarowski said on ESPN, via Paulo Alves of The Lager Line. “There are a lot of things that are attractive with Houston for him. It is home, family there, familiarity with the organization and community”

For now, it’s too early to know if Harden is seriously considering a return to the Rockets, or if his agency is merely putting out word in the media to try to get a better deal from the76ers.

Bucks

GM Jon Horst indicated veterans such as forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton will have a say in who the Bucks hire as coach.

. “They’ll have a lot of input,” Horst said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “When it comes to our guys, I really hope and expect them to have a role and a voice in the process. Their opinion matters to me. I know it matters to our ownership group. It’s something that I trust and value. So as we go through the process, I think at the right time we’ll make sure that a group of our players weigh in and partake in this in the right way and the right time.”

• Horst also said the Bucks are in no rush to make a hire. We have more of his thoughts on the Bucks’ coaching search right here.

Raptors

There seems to be little doubt around the NBA that changes are on the way for the Raptors.

“(President of basketball operations Masai Ujiri) is really, really frustrated,” a rival GM told Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports. “He’s frustrated with (guard Fred VanVleet) also, because he hasn’t shown him any indication that he wants to stay. So I think he’s really down about that situation. Maybe it’s because everything’s still so fresh, but there’s a lot they have to get done there. It didn’t surprise anyone that (Nick Nurse) moved on.”

Another league executive agreed.

“There will be changes for sure; I have no idea to what extent,” the exec told Bulpett. “I don’t think they have that many pieces to trade that are that good, just because (Pascal Siakam) has one year left on a $38 million dollar deal. Same thing with (OG Anunoby), one year left ($18.6 million) and a player option. I just don’t know if they’re going to get much in return for those guys.

“I don’t know if the value is there. And they didn’t get value for OG this trade deadline either. Masai was holding out for a big package, and there was nothing there that he wanted. It’ll be interesting to see what happens there.”

• The Rockets are among the teams that could have interest in some of the Raptors’ available players, as we relayed here.