Nets lose seventh straight, reportedly open to trading James Harden
Nets guard James Harden reacts to a call in the second half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on Jan. 25. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Nets didn’t have James Harden against Utah on Friday night in Salt Lake City and were blown out by the Jazz, 125-102, their seventh straight defeat.
Harden missed the game because of left hamstring tightness and was not on the bench.
How much longer will the Nets have Harden at all? With the Feb. 10 trade deadline approaching, that appears to be an open question.
The Athletic reported on Friday that the Nets "are believed to be open to discussing a deal" that would send Harden to the 76ers for disgruntled guard Ben Simmons.
According to the report, the Nets would look to acquire several players in addition to Simmons, who has not played this season after asking Philadelphia to trade him in the offseason.
The Athletic noted that the 76ers have role players such as Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle who could interest the Nets.
The Nets (29-23) fell to 2-8 since Kevin Durant went out with a knee injury. Utah scored the first 10 points and led by as many as 34.
Kyrie Irving shot 2-for-12 in the first half and finished with 15 points. Rookie Cam Thomas scored a career-best 30.
"Tough, tough game," coach Steve Nash said. "I felt for the guys . . . Our guys stayed together and fought through it. I’m proud of them for that."
Nic Claxton played only five minutes after straining his left hamstring. Nash said he didn’t know how serious the injury is.
"We’re going through a heck of a time right now," he said.
Utah (32-21) was led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 27 in his first game back from a concussion-related absence. Bojan Bogdanovic added 19 points.
Reports have been swirling around Harden for some time. First, that he is not happy with the Nets. Then, that they were not considering trading him before the deadline. And now, that they have reversed course and would listen to offers for Harden, who was named an All-Star Game reserve on Thursday.
Harden didn’t play like an All-Star in the Nets’ loss to the Kings on Wednesday, scoring four points in 37 minutes.
"I think [the injury] was a factor," Nash said before Friday’s game. "I know it was a factor."
He also missed a Jan. 26 game because of hamstring tightness.
"Hopefully he’s able to go on Sunday [in Denver]," Nash said. "I don’t think it’s that bad. I think it’s just a precaution. Really make sure we can strengthen him, give him an extra day."
In answer to a question about the trade deadline, Nash said he doesn’t expect Nets brass to overreact to the losing streak.
"I don’t think our organization’s the type that’s reactive," he said. " ‘We lost a game. Let’s make a trade.’ I think we’ve built something here that we feel we have a great chance to compete for a championship if healthy. So none of us are panicking or saying we don’t have the pieces to win. We just haven’t had them on the floor at the same time."
Harris update. Joe Harris, who hasn’t played since Nov. 14 and had Nov. 29 ankle surgery, was supposed to be back by now. But he had a setback during his rehab and might need a second surgery, although he’s still not ruling out a return this season.
"The rehab in general has obviously gone a little bit longer than initially anticipated, but that’s how some of this stuff goes," Harris told reporters on Friday, according to ESPN.com. "The biggest thing with me right now is I’m just trying to get healthy. So when my ankle is right and I’m feeling good enough to play, that’s when I’m going to be able to come back."
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
