It has been a definite reason why the star players want a change of scenery, but one reason might have to do with the owner of the team. According to NBA reporter Ric Bucher, several of the Rockets players are upset over Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s support of Donald Trump. On “The Odd Couple” podcast with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker, Bucher stated:
“I immediately thought this was Daryl Morey leaving, and Mike D’Antoni leaving, and Russell Westbrook and James Harden going ‘no offense to Stephen Silas or Rafael Stone, but we don’t want a starter kit, we’re playing for a championship.’ No matter how much you regard Stephen Silas or Stone, these guys are brand new at the job, and what’s our expectation that they’re going to be able to make the moves necessary for us to leapfrog the Lakers. But what I 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.”
Even though Trump didn’t win the election Fertitta donated $35,000 to the “Trump Victory” campaign. He also contributed $35,000 to the Republican National Committee, and $35,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
There hasn’t been any official statement from Westbrook, Harden, or the Rockets organization.