NBA Insider Says Donald Trump Is Behind The Houston Rockets Mass Exodus

Things aren't exactly going well for the Houston Rockets.

First Russell Westbrook requested a trade after just one season with the team.

And now James Harden has turned down a record two-year extension with Houston which would have made him the first NBA player in history to rake in $50million per season.

By the looks of things, Houston doesn't look like a very desirable place to play seeing as though all these big-name megastars are wanting to jump ships.

But one NBA insider insists he knows the real reason why the players are so keen to leave the Rockets in such a hurry.

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Respected NBA reporter Ric Bucher says the exodus in Houston could be directly linked to team owner Tilman Fertitta's well-known support of United States president Donald Trump.

Speaking on 'The Odd Couple' podcast, Bucher said: "I immediately thought this was Daryl Morey leaving, and Mike D'Antoni leaving, and Russell Westbrook and James Harden going 'No offence to Stephen Silas or Rafael Stone, but we don't want a starter kit, we're playing for a championship.

"But what I've heard is - and we know how much politics and political position had to do with the boycott and protests during the bubble - I'm hearing that Tilman Fertitta's strong Republican support and donations is one of the things that is contributing to this dissatisfaction, and those two [Westbrook and Harden] are not the only ones to want out of Houston. Lesser players are of the same mind. There is a revolt here because they look at Fertitta as a guy who supports the current president."

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It's safe to say that Trump's relationship with some of America's high-profile athletes isn't exactly the best - and players in the NBA are no different.

Not only have a number of teams outwardly refused to rock up to the White House after winning a Championship during Trump's reign, but they've also engaged in a war-of-words with the president via social media.

LeBron James is perhaps the biggest name to have gone back and fourth with Trump.

But even though the president appears to have been knocked off his perch in the recent election, it seems his presence is still being felt by people in the United States - NBA stars such as Harden and Westbrook included.

Topics: James Harden, Houston Rockets, Basketball, NBA, Donald Trump, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry