NETS INSIDER

Nets Insider's Rick Laughland alongside BackSportsPage's Randy Zellea are joined by Yahoo Sportsbook, NBATV and MLBTV betting analyst Ariel Epstein, to discuss the latest surrounding the Brooklyn Nets and what NBA bets will lead to the biggest payoff. Among the topics discussed, the future of James Harden and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, NBA prop bets to make and Rick's History of the Nets Book, set to hit bookstores this summer, via History Press.

NBA.com As per Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets won't listen to any trade offers to James Harden ahead of the February 10 NBA Trade Deadline. Per the report, Harden has indicated that he remains dedicated to the organization but is admittedly frustrated with injuries and COVID-19 absences impacting the roster and team continuity. ESPN Sources: The Brooklyn Nets won’t listen to trade deadline overtures for James Harden, a resolve largely rooted in the All-NBA guard’s repeated insistences to ownership and management that he’s committed to the franchise: https://t.co/wveLmWVqHU — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2022 Free agency will be a whole new ball of wax has Harden did not sign an extension this summer and vowed to be invested in the Nets' long-term, but also wants the opportunity to test the market for the first time in his career.  Before Sean Marks and company turn their attention to free agency, the Nets have a title to chase. In actuality, the team...

 As far as Steve Nash is concerned, both he and James Harden are on the same page. Speaking with reporters prior to Tuesday's tipoff against Los Angeles, Nash went as far as to say Harden has not verbalized any of the frustrations cited in the Bleacher Report story and even questioned the validity of the report. Steve Nash responds to the rumors of James Harden's concerns with the Nets including with their rotations: "James and I speak all the time...I'm not sure the validity of these comments, to be honest with you" pic.twitter.com/1gFb8FcLEh — Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 25, 2022 It's no surprise that the head coach is not giving any credence to the notion that his star player is unhappy with the crunch time rotations and open to a change of scenery with a part-time Kyrie Irving and injuries to Kevin Durant and Joe Harris starting to derail a potential championship season. The reality is, as Harden outlined, he's frustrated about a culmination ...

  James Harden acknowledged that things aren't going as planned this year in Brooklyn during a post game press conference following Tuesday night's loss to the Lakers at Barclays Center. With injuries to starters Kevin Durant, Joe Harris and floor leader Kyrie Irving eligible for only home games, Harden's been left with a makeshift supporting cast that has not only played limited court time together, but is comprised mostly of defensive oriented players. Harden recorded his ninth triple-double of the season on Tuesday with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assist, while Patty Mills with 15 and DeAndre Bembry with 12, were the only other players to reach double figures in scoring. "Of course I'm frustrated because we're not healthy. It's a lot of inconsistency for whatever reason - injuries, COVID, whatever you want to call it...I don't know reports. If you don't hear from me, then it's reports. I'm frustrated because I want to win" - James...

  NBA.com James Harden is growing increasingly frustrated in Brooklyn. That much is clear as per multiple media reports citing sources close to Harden. According to  Jake Fischer  of Bleacher Report, Harden is less than thrilled with Kyrie Irving's part-time playing status and Steve Nash's rotating carousel of lineups, particularly in the closing minutes of games and is open to a change of scenery away from Brooklyn. On the flipside, Nets' fans are watching Harden play an uninspired brand of basketball. The Beard has never been a hustle player, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, but the same passion, fervor and intensity he played with upon his trade to the Nets last season is absent from his play so far this year. Kyrie Irving on what led to his strong 4th quarter vs. San Antonio tonight: "James yelled at me - 'Kai, get the f-ing ball'" in the 3rd quarter...so I kind of took that personal and wanted to come out in the 4th quarter with an agg...

  Photo by Doug Bearak NBA trade rumors are going bonkers right now including a proposed trade between Brooklyn and Philly involving a James Harden for Ben Simmons swap among other moving parts. These are fun scenarios for the NBA trade machine, Twitter and water-cooler talk, but none of it is grounded in reality. The Nets are not looking to trade Harden, especially in exchange for a player who disappeared in last year's playoffs and has hid behind the stigma of a "mental health" problem to force his way out of Philadelphia. Yes, Simmons is six years younger than Harden, a more willing defender,  more athletic and with tons of upside, but he also brings lots of baggage, a mental block when it comes to perimeter shooting and won't reach anything near his potential until after Kevin Durant is past his prime. The Nets are a win-now club that needs Durant to take the next 4-6 weeks to heal from his MCL sprain and either Kyrie Irving to decide to comply with local vaccine ...

  Photo by Doug Bearak When Kyrie Irving and James Harden take the court together sans Kevin Durant in the lineup, the dynamic backcourt has won nearly 82 percent of the games over the last two seasons.  You heard it right. A record of 18-4 to be exact. A superb mark for a lethal combination of playmaking, scoring prowess and ankle-breaking handles. Durant is not expected back until after the All-Star break at the absolute earliest, but it's far from panic time in Brooklyn.  Irving and Harden combined for 26 points in a fourth quarter barrage in San Antonio 117-102 win on Friday, marking the first time the Nets beat the Spurs back-to-back times on the road and the fifth consecutive win overall in a head-to-head matchup historically dominated by the Spurs. Kyrie Irving on what led to his strong 4th quarter vs. San Antonio tonight: "James yelled at me - 'Kai, get the f-ing ball'" in the 3rd quarter...so I kind of took that personal and wanted to come out in the 4t...