When longtime star James Harden forced a trade out of Houston in January 2021, there were two primary suitors: Brooklyn and Philadelphia. The rationale for the Rockets choosing the Nets package has been well chronicled, since the historic haul of future draft picks and swaps from the Nets likely offered more long-term upside than the bid of Ben Simmons and fewer draft assets from the 76ers.
Now, it appears there was one more contributing factor: Harden also personally preferred the Nets, when presented with the choice.
From Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic:
