The Houston Rockets plan to offer James Harden a supermax contract extension “at the first opportunity,” according to The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. They intend to do so well before he can hit free agency, according to Feigen, in order to secure the all-world scorer for the foreseeable future.
NBA Free Agency Rumors: Rockets hope to give James Harden second straight contract extension
Houston wants to lock in its MVP candidate for the foreseeable future.
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Harden was an All-Star starter and an All-NBA First-Team player for the Rockets, averaging 29 points and a league-best 11.2 assists per game. He is eligible for the Designated Veteran Player Extension worth 35 percent of the salary cap, a number that could pay around $170 million over four years.
It would be the second year in a row the Rockets give Harden an extension.
Harden signed a four-year, $117 million contract extension last summer and has two years remaining worth $58.7 million before he can opt-out and test free agency in 2019. If he signs the extension with the Rockets, he would pocket almost $230 million over six years.
The Rockets want to lock Harden up so they can pivot to securing top-flight talent around him.
Houston had one of the most successful seasons this year, pushing the boundaries of the three-point line to finish third in the West behind Golden State and San Antonio. The Rockets lost, however, in the second round of the playoffs to the Spurs — without Tony Parker after Game 2 and Kawhi Leonard in Game 6 — and need to add another All-Star next to Harden to legitimately contend for a championship.
If the Rockets successfully extend Harden, it’s a message to potential free agents that The Beard is here to stay. And if a player wants to compete at a high level, alongside both one of the top talents and top coaches in the league, the Rockets have positioned themselves to be that team.
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