76ers head coach Doc Rivers has no interest in stoking James Harden trade rumors. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

76ers coach Doc Rivers downplays James Harden trade rumors: 'You're not hearing them from us'

The Philadelphia 76ers have found themselves smack dab in the center of the NBA rumor mill, as they are apparently the team James Harden hopes he gets traded to by the Houston Rockets. But 76ers coach Doc Rivers reminded everyone that none of this talk came from his team and that they are more focused on the upcoming season than whatever gossip is currently floating around on Twitter.

"You're not hearing them from us," Rivers said, according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype. "As long as you don't hear them from us, you should be very comfortable. We like our team. That team I just watched out there is pretty special."

It makes sense that Rivers would want to downplay any rumors, as it is his first season coaching in Philadelphia and he doesn't want any of his players worried about trades that may never happen. But just because Rivers is ignoring trade talk, doesn't mean trade talk isn't happening. And it's hard to imagine Daryl Morey won't do everything he can to try and add Harden to the 76ers, assuming that's a real possibility.

But for now, the 76ers do not have Harden and Morey has already done some of his patented tinkering to build an exciting roster around Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, the team's two young superstars. And while Philadelphia has not experienced much player success with that duo, the team hopes that Rivers being in charge will help make the 76ers a legitimate title contender.

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