Earlier today, James Harden signed a multiyear extension that guarantees $228 million through 2022-2023. This deal marks the richest deal in NBA history. The Rockets know they’ve got a franchise player who is an instant game changer. James Harden was the runner-up for the 2017 Kia NBA MVP Award this season where he totaled 29.2 points per game, with a league-high 11.2 assists per game and an average of 8.1 rebounds per game.
The Rockets are looking to build this franchise into a serious title contender after they aggressively pursued (and acquired) free agent point guard, Chris Paul. The Rockets now have the face of their franchise locked up for the next six years. While the Rockets have yet to make it to the NBA Finals with James Harden, they have every intention of making that dream become a reality. Recently, the Knicks have been in talks with the Rockets about a potential deal that would involve Carmelo Anthony going to the Rockets. A big three of Harden, Paul and Anthony would be one of the most intriguing in the league.
As for terms of the contract, according to Bobby Marks from ESPN, this will not go against the Rockets current salary. This is clearly an extension that will just be added to the end of this current deal he has. The new extension will be a four-year deal worth $170M. The extension starts in 2019-2020, meaning Harden will make $37.8M in year one, $40.8M in year two, $43.8 million in year three and finally $46.8 million in year four. James Harden already has a deal with Adidas worth $200 million and now his newest extension gives him $228 million. Those two contracts alone equal $428 million. If Harden receives any more endorsements throughout the remainder of his career, he could be close to being a billionaire.
It is without question smart for the Rockets to lock up Harden while they can. Too often, we have seen teams lose out on their star players (Paul George in Indiana, Gordon Hayward in Utah and Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City). The list is longer than the 3 names I just mentioned, but the point is still made. The Rockets have found something they can win with, and they’ve done exactly their part in giving James Harden the supermax. Harden is a for sure a Hall of Famer and will always be considered as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
