Sports
James Harden Makes NBA History With $228 Million Salary
The Houston Rockets guard signed an extension with the team through the 2022-23 season worth $170 million.
HOUSTON, TX — Its's official: James Harden, runner-up to Russell Westbrook for the NBA's MVP this season, has made history in a rich way. The Guard for the Houston Rockets has inked a contract that guarantees him $228 million through the 2022-23 season.
The so-called supermaximum extension signed by Harden on Saturday is for a duration of four years and has a value of $170 million. That's $42.5 million per year, and the most lucrative extension in the league's history.
"Houston is home for me," Harden said in a statement from the Rockets. "[Owner Leslie Alexander] has shown he is fully committed to winning, and my teammates and I are going to keep putting in the work to get better and compete for the title."
Find out what's happening in Midtown Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Late in June, the Rockets added Chris Paul to its roster, and is making a bid for Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, according to various sources.
Paul congratulated Harden on his windfall on Twitter on Saturday:
Find out what's happening in Midtown Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
CONGRATS!!!! To hell with the ball, lemme hold some pic.twitter.com/i4M1iVzCID
— Chris Paul (@CP3) July 8, 2017
With Paul and PJ Tucker, who signed a $32 million deal with the Rockets recently — and Harden and the possible addition of Anthony — the Houston team is putting up some big numbers in an obvious attack on the crown now worn by the Golden State Warriors.
— Image: James Harden, right, shoots against Kobe Bryant. (flickr/Alexandra Walt)
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.