DeMarcus Cousins said that his 28-point, 17-rebound, 5-assist game against the Dallas Mavericks was proof that his process in returning from injury was working.

"It's just proof that the work is working. The work, the time, the effort, those days I didn't want to get up and do it, the days I thought I was wasting, my time, the dog days I thought it was over for me -- all of those thoughts at some point flashed in my mind.

"I would be lying if I didn't have those moments," said Cousins after the 133-108 win.

Cousins was shooting 26.3% from the field prior to the Mavs game. He is currently averaging 7.9 points and 7.6 rebounds on the season. 

"You never know when your time is going to be called. ... I feel like he got the same type of looks he got last night in Detroit. He just didn't make them.

"I don't know what he did on the flight or all day today to come back and be able to play on a back-to-back and play the game that he did. It was big for us," said John Wall of Cousins' game. 

John Wall is probable to return on Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks. Wall has missed several games to due a knee injury.

Victor Oladipo will miss the game due to injury management from back-to-back games. 

The Houston Rockets plan to have assistant coach John Lucas work closely with Kevin Porter Jr.

The Rockets acquired Porter on Thursday night for a protected second round pick. 

The Houston Rockets have agreed to acquire Kevin Porter Jr. from the Cleveland Cavaliers for a future protected second round pick.

The Cavaliers were prepared to waive Porter if they were unable to trade him.

Porter wa a first round pick in 2019.

The Houston Rockets asked for Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey and three first round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden, sources tell Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

The 76ers declined and the Rockets traded Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in a package that netted them four first round picks, three picks swaps, cap relief and Victor Oladipo.

If the 76ers eventually decide the Simmons' pairing with Joel Embiid is not maximizing their collective talents, they could attempt to trade for someone like Bradley Beal or Zach LaVine.

Sources tell The Athletic that the Philadelphia 76ers "ultimate purpose in the [James Harden] negotiations was to provide the Rockets with the leverage needed to maximize the return wit the Nets."

The 76ers had real interest in trading for James Harden, but Brooklyn's willingness to increase their offer reached a point where Philadelphia could no longer compete.

Sources also tell The Athletic that the Boston Celtics were involved in the later stages of trade talks as well.

Daryl Morey joined Philadelphia from the Rockets this past offseason and has a long relationship with Rafael Stone. With the 76ers and Nets sharing a division, Philadelphia benefits long-term from Brooklyn sending out the trade package they did for Harden.

Rafael Stone said that he was excited by the flexibility that the Houston Rockets received in trading James Harden, citing the value of draft picks.

"I would say what's super exciting about this deal is it gives us flexibility. In the NBA, picks, especially high picks, are the best currency.

"Everybody likes them. Everybody values them. That was great organizationally. It gave us flexibility to do different types of deals as they come up this year, next year or whatever," said Stone.

The Rockets received three unprotected picks from the Nets, along with the Bucks' first-round pick in 2022 via the Cavs, and four pick swaps with the Nets.

Stone also spoke of Victor Oladipo, adding that he sees him growing within the Rockets system.

"He's a two-way player. He's played at an extraordinarily high level. He's obviously had a significant injury. He's back. He's already really, really good, but I think in his own mind and in ours, there's still room to grow, which is really exciting."

James Harden addressed the media for the first time since his trade from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets.

Harden said he doesn't believe he was disrespectful to anyone as his career with the Rockets came to a close, but he does regret how the situation unfolded.

"I've been there for a very long time," Harden said of the Rockets. "I have been through all the ups and downs, you know, with that organization. And I wasn't disrespectful toward anyone. I just made a comment that the team as a whole wasn't good enough to compete for a title. And at this stage in my career, where I am now, that's what I would love.

"And so, I wasn't trying to be disrespectful to anybody -- especially not to the organization. And like I said, I am excited to be here in Brooklyn and, you know, excited for a new start."

Harden said he felt the Rockets "didn't have a chance" but said some of his behavior and public comments were uncharacteristic of him.

"I regret it because I'm not the type of guy to -- I don't need the attention," Harden said. "The ultimate goal was to get to somewhere where I can compete, and here I am in Brooklyn."

Harden said he will have to lean into his playmaking abilities to coexist with "elite scorers" like Durant and Kyrie Irving.

"I think, for me, giving myself a chance is very, very important," Harden said. "Younger, giving myself a chance but wanting to get paid and wanting to take care of my family was very, very important to me. Now, at this stage of my career, it's giving myself a chance to do something that I haven't accomplished yet in this league. That's why I'm here in Brooklyn."

"Obviously we know it's not easy," Harden added. "With this roster and this coaching staff and this organization, I think we have a legit chance."

The Minnesota Timberwolves have maintained contact with the Houston Rockets over a possible trade for P.J. Tucker and are expected to re-engage discussions, sources told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

The Athletic adds that the Wolves have been monitoring Tucker's situation since the draft.

The Rockets have received interest from multiple teams for Tucker, and are looking for three second-round picks in a deal. 

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Seerat Sohi of Yahoo Sports (@SeeratSohi) discuss the James Harden megadeal and the NBA season so far.

They talk about how the Nets’ new trio will fit on the court, whether Houston got a reasonable return, how the Pacers and Cavs fared, the Suns’ early success and much more.

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