After having cursory talks about a James Harden trade, the Miami Heat have moved on and will not pursue the Houston Rockets' star, sources told ESPN.
Miami is one of the teams that had the type of package of young prospects that the Rockets have been seeking in their pursuit of a deal for their disgruntled star. Miami has intriguing young players Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn, among others, plus some veteran players on the final years of their contracts who could have been used to facilitate the trade.
However, the Rockets have also been looking for significant draft assets in Harden deals and the Heat currently can offer only their 2027 first-round pick in a trade. For those reasons, discussions never got very far on the Rockets' side, sources said.
Houston has had trade discussions with the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets, among others, around Harden, who has requested a trade. When speaking with the media Monday, Harden declined to answer a question about whether his feelings on the Rockets have changed.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel first reported the Heat's decision to end the trade talks.