Houston Rockets

Kendrick Perkins says James Harden’s partying led to Russell Westbrook’s trade demand

Published by
Zach Stevens

In recent weeks, some not-so-flattering reports have surfaced about the off-court conduct of James Harden while he was with the Houston Rockets.

According to former NBA center Kendrick Perkins, Harden’s partying led to Russell Westbrook demanding a trade.

“This is why Russ wanted to bounce,” Perkins said on the Posecast with James Posey. “The Rockets didn’t want to trade Russ, he requested a trade because of all the things that was transpiring last year. Say they would play on a Saturday, and they wouldn’t play again…until Thursday, James probably heading to Cabo on Tilman Fertitta’s private jet. And Russ like, ‘Hold on I ain’t come here for all this s—. … I ain’t with all this partying.'”

Westbrook’s trade request came around the same time Harden himself demanded to be dealt. Westbrook was dealt to the Washington Wizards in return for former All-Star guard John Wall in early December.

Perhaps Harden’s most publicized incident off the court was his visit to a strip club, which led to an NBA investigation to see whether he violated the league’s COVID-19 safety protocols.

Because of Harden’s antics, Perkins recently said that GMs around the NBA were “scared of trading for” the 2018 regular season MVP.

In the end, of course, the Brooklyn Nets had no fear of him, as they jettisoned a few of their most promising complementary players to acquire the three-time scoring champ.

It remains to be seen if Harden will be a more upstanding citizen now that he has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on his side.

Zach Stevens

Robert is a native of Santa Monica, Calif. and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has been an avid NBA and NFL fan since he was a little kid in the mid-'90s, and he has always loved soaking up knowledge about both leagues and their respective histories. He feels strongly that sports aren't just entertainment, but also a means for learning life lessons.

Published by
Zach Stevens

Recent Posts

‘Wtf’: Trae Young reacts to Rashad McCants saying he could score 81 points like Kobe Bryant

Back in January of 2006, former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant put on one…

2 hours ago

Rashad McCants says he could’ve won ROTY but had a coach who was ‘shaking in the motherf——g huddle’

Former NBA guard Rashad McCants was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the last lottery…

2 hours ago

Chandler Parsons says Jaylen Brown would be best player on over half of NBA teams, including some playoff teams

The Boston Celtics were without maybe their top player for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the…

2 hours ago

‘Spo gonna Spo’: Cavs player gives Erik Spoelstra his flowers after Heat’s near-upset in Game 2

The odds were stacked against the Miami Heat to pick up a win in Game…

2 hours ago

Report: Will Campbell landing with Patriots may depend on whether team gets ‘fair deal’ to trade down

As a consolation prize for a woeful 2024 season that was marred by losing, the…

2 hours ago

Report: ‘Most of the league’ has been contacted about Jalen Ramsey, including Rams, Lions and Eagles

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is one of the more notable players in the league…

2 hours ago