James Harden, Rockets agree on biggest contract extension in NBA history
Harden will make a total of $228 million through the 2022-23 season.
The Houston Rockets announced they have signed All-Star shooting guard James Harden to a four-year contract extension. It was the first-ever Designated Player Veteran Extension, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks, which will pay him a total of $228 million through the 2022-23 season.
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
James Harden would be the first player to sign under the new Designated Player Veteran Extension (DPVE). Steph Curry signed as a FA.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 8, 2017
Both Harden and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander made brief statements about the most lucrative deal in league history.
Statement from Owner Leslie Alexander: pic.twitter.com/s4spd7bmHo
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 8, 2017
Harden signed a four-year, $117 million extension with Houston last summer with an opt-out for the 2019-20 season. Using Wojnarowski’s $228 million salary figure, he would add an additional four seasons onto his deal for a total of $170 million.
The contract extension would be the most lucrative deal in NBA history, far surpassing both Mike Conley’s five-year, $153 million max deal last summer and Stephen Curry’s “supermax” $201 million contract this offseason.
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
Harden’s contract extension comes weeks after the Rockets traded the kitchen sink to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for all-world point guard Chris Paul. It ensures the Rockets will have a superstar guard for the foreseeable future, one other stars may want to come to Houston to play with.
The Beard was named an All-Star starter and First Team All-NBA after averaging 29.7 points and 11.2 assists to lead the Rockets to the Western Conference’s third seed.