Should the Rockets move James Harden this summer?

With eports of James Harden being behind some big decisions in Houston, should the Rockets consider moving him this summer?

Things are not good with the Houston Rockets right now. The team has taken a nosedive down the standings after making the Western Conference Finals last season, and now the team is just trying to hold on to even make one of the final playoff spots in their conference.

It started with Kevin McHale being fired early on, the team’s chemistry being non-existent on the court and reports that the team was trying to trade Dwight Howard. On Thursday, CBS Sports’ Ken Berger reported that Harden convinced management to fire McHale and he was also behind trying to get the team to trade Dwight Howard.

The thought of a superstar wielding power is nothing new, but Harden’s ascension to power and his public image has left a bad look on the Rockets that can only get worse. If Harden has a heavy influence behind the decisions, then what does that say for the team chemistry?

A guy like LeBron James can get away with the power that he wields because of his championship experience and the fact that he makes his teammates around him better. Harden’s numbers are great, but the flaws in his game are noticeable and he often brings a lackadaisical approach to the floor.

If he’s the one wearing the pants in the organization, then it makes the jobs of the executives even tougher, as they try to build around him. With Howard able to opt out of his deal after the season, it should be a foregone conclusion that he’s going to be elsewhere next season.

That puts Houston right back at square one with Harden and trying to build around him with other superstars yet again. However, with the public perception of Harden being one of a superstar that can be extremely talented yet lazy and hanging out in Hollywood, the Rockets might have a tough time bringing in other superstars.

Add in the fact that they might not want to end up like Howard and the Rockets have to consider when push will come to shove with Harden. He’s only 26 and the thought of trading him at this time seems absolutely preposterous, but if they can land him for another superstar and gain assets that Morey can use to his advantage they would have to consider it.

The odds of a trade are unlikely, but as the reports come out about him, it’s clear that the issues that the Rockets have all begin with him.