Teams would be reluctant to give up the assets required to get a player of Harden's caliber without confidence that he would be willing to remain with that franchise when he can opt out of his contract following the 2021-22 season. Few contending teams have the ability to furnish Houston with the combination of assets that it's seeking to consider dealing Harden.Charlotte Hornets Face Masks

Silas said he did not know whether Harden had returned to Houston. Harden posted pictures on Instagram over the weekend of him attending rapper Lil Baby's birthday party in Atlanta, and videos and pictures of Harden hanging out in Las Vegas nightclubs have circulated on social media in the past couple of days.Sacramento Kings Face Masks

Several 60-and-older coaches feared the policy would end up targeting them, jeopardizing their participation in the restart and even their future employment opportunities, sources told ESPN at the time. Age has been considered one risk factor, among many others, for worse coronavirus outcomes. Under the league's guidelines for the Orlando restart, every participant -- players, coaches, staff -- was subject to the medical review, which considered preexisting health conditions and other risk factors beyond age.

However, Harden opted to work out on his own at the University of Houston, and he attended rapper Lil Baby's birthday party in Atlanta over the weekend and then spent a few nights in Las Vegas. Harden did not wear a face mask at the birthday party or in Las Vegas nightclubs, social events that violated the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Harden, who sources say has requested to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets, has not communicated recently with Silas. A source told ESPN on Sunday night that Harden informed Rockets management that he would report soon, but Silas expressed uncertainty about when the 2017-18 NBA MVP would rejoin the team.Orlando Magic Face Masks

"We're just trying to iron all that stuff out right now," said first-year Rockets coach Stephen Silas, who also noted that free-agent signee Sterling Brown had yet to practice with the Rockets because of COVID-19 protocols. "I wish I had a good answer for you. I wish I had a better answer for you when it comes to all that, but I don't."NFL Face Coverings

"I've always listened to my coaches," James said when asked about load management. "We had the same thing last year. We're going to be as smart as we can be on ... making sure that my body, on making sure that I'm ready to go.