Eric Gordon believes James Harden trade gives Rockets 'real direction'

James Harden is no longer a Rocket and it seems his old teammates are not too sad to see him go, as Eric Gordon said it was a relief for the Rockets to no longer be defined by the constant dysfunction that was caused by the supersta clearly not wanting to be there.

"Obviously, you could tell from the summer and since the season started that he didn't want to be here," Gordon said. "For us, I think it just gives us a chance to [have] a real direction. Everyone else on the team can hone in and not worry about his situation. We can just move forward."

Gordon is not the first member of the Rockets to openly talk about Harden's effect on the team, as Boogie Cousins made it clear that Harden's attitude was evident long before he was traded. Harden had long been the foundation of the Rockets, but it appears his relationship with the team was fractured when head coach Mike D'Antoni and general manager Darryl Morey mutually parted ways with the team last offseason. Harden got his wish, as a massive four-team trade sent him to the Brooklyn Nets.

But what direction are the Rockets actually headed? They still have talent on the team, especially with the addition of Victor Oladipo but the former Pacers guard could be gone after the season or traded. If John Wall and Co. are unable to keep Houston competitive, it could be time for the Rockets to embrace the rebuild.