The Houston Rockets and James Harden are about to be joined at the hip for many years and are closing in on an extension that could guarantee him $228 million.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has the breaking news on this story.
Sources with @WindhorstESPN: James Harden and Rockets are progressing toward deal on biggest contract extension in NBA history.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 8, 2017
Not long after that, the Rockets announced the move.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/883780107093123072
Now, on to the details!
Harden's progressing toward adding four years onto Houston current deal, an extension that could guarantee him $228M through 2022-23 season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 8, 2017
A James Harden four-year extension would start in 2019-20 at a salary of $37.8M, $40.8M, $43.8M and $46.8M. https://t.co/zq5eLKrube
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 8, 2017
That’s a looooot of money.
Whatever your take on Harden as an overall NBA player (defensive liability?), there’s no doubt he’s one of the NBA’s premier talents. Offensively, only Russell Westbrook was able to outshine what Harden did during the 2016-17 season when he averaged 29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 1.5 steals and half a block per game.
The Rockets are also said to be working towards adding Carmelo Anthony as trade talks with the New York Knicks might begin anew with the signing of Tim Hardaway Jr. (more on that here).
They’re certainly doing everything they can to keep pace with the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder out west. Whether it makes any difference at all next spring when the playoffs begin remains to be seen.