DENVER – The Brooklyn Nets have no intention of negotiating with James Harden before the trading deadline.

Coach Steve Nash was fired Sunday to tell reporters that Harden will still be on the team after Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

“I talked to James and he wants to play here. He wants to stay with us for a long time, so nothing has changed, except maybe the rumors outside the locker room.

“We are building our team around James and I think we have a better chance of winning if he is in our squad. »

Harden has missed two games with a left thigh injury and has been at the center of commercial rumors. One of them sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons.

Regarding the injury, Nash explained that he was not serious.

“We just want to be safe,” said the coach. We lost his services for a long time last year, so we want to avoid another prolonged absence. »

Harden lost 10 games in his first full season with the Nets.