James Harden's trade request this offseason is the third time he's approached the Houston Rockets with an edict of building a title contender around him or trade him, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Harden approached the Rockets following their loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 playoffs that another playmaker was desperately needed. The Rockets then pulled off a sign-and-trade for Chris Paul that June and were one win away from The Finals against the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
After the 2019 elimination by the Warriors and fallout with Paul, sources tell Iko that Harden told the front office to commit to building a championship team or that he wanted to be traded. The Rockets traded Paul for Russell Westbrook in a deal that has now compromised their ability to upgrade the roster.
Sources say Harden approached the Rockets with the same message around the time both Mike D'Antoni and Daryl Morey left the franchise.
Before the Rockets conducted their offseason business, Harden told the front office he didn't see a realistic path to a title and would prefer a trade to the Brooklyn Nets.