Report: Rockets Stars Want Out Due To Fertitta's Political Leanings

Harden has requested to be traded away from the Rockets this offseasonNBAE/GETTY IMAGES

James Harden and Russell Westbrook are among several players “revolting against Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s political leanings,” according to a report cited by Liz Roscher of YAHOO SPORTS. Longtime NBA reporter Ric Bucher on a recent version of “The Odd Couple” podcast stated that Fertitta’s “support of Donald Trump has led to a ‘revolt’ among players.” That is why Harden and Westbrook “have both requested trades, and apparently a number of other Rockets players are also deeply unhappy” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/17). In N.Y., Jeremy Layton noted Fertitta “has been a prominent Republican donor for years, and is reportedly close to Trump.” He also was “critical of GM Daryl Morey’s tweets supporting protests in Hong Kong, which drew huge backlash from China” (N.Y. POST, 11/17).