James Harden Signs NBA Record-Breaking Contract Extension With Rockets For $228 Million
This afternoon, James Harden agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Houston Rockets. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the four-year contract will be worth $228 million. The new contract is also the highest deal in NBA history. The announcement comes just a week after Stephen Curry was awarded the highest-paid contract in NBA history at five years worth $201 million.
Harden is coming off a career season in numbers. He averaged career highs of 29.1 points, 11.2 assists (league leading), and 8.1 rebounds. Harden finished second in the league’s MVP voting behind his former teammate Russell Westbrook. Since being traded from OKC to Houston back in 2012, Harden has gone from a solid sixth man to an NBA All-Star guard.
He led Houston to the second-round of the playoffs this past season but ended up losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games. However, the high-level of play he displayed this season was seemingly convincing enough for the team to extend him until the 2022-23 season.
Harden’s most recent contract extension that he signed last season was worth $118.1 million and was good until the 2019-20 season. Now a season after leading Houston to third place in the Western Conference and a 55-27 record, James will receive almost double that with his new $228 million deal.
Breaking: James Harden signs 4-year, $228 million contract extension with the Rockets through 2022-23 season. (via @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/3IL85IPQeq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 8, 2017
Prior to the NBA’s free agency signing period, the Rockets wasted no time making any off-season power moves when they traded for veteran point guard Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers. The trade for Paul was seen by coach Mike D’Antoni as one that would allow Houston to have more of a solid backcourt, and add someone with experience and skills that can compliment James Harden’s style of play.
There have also been rumors spreading around the league that the Rockets are very interested in working out a deal with the New York Knicks to add veteran forward Carmelo Anthony to their roster, alongside Harden and Paul. If Houston can find a way to pull off the deal, it will provide them more firepower on the offensive end to compete with the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors.
Do you think James Harden deserves a contract extension from the Rockets?
[Featured Image by Patrick McMullan/Getty Images]
