Oklahoma City Thunder can’t agree to contract extension with James Harden, trade him

Whether or not this turns out to be a good deal for one side or both sides likely depends on exactly what those future draft considerations turn out to be. It’s hard to envision a deal that does not send multiple first round picks to Oklahoma City.

It also seems highly unlikely that the Rockets would make this trade without knowing for sure that they would be able to retain Harden’s services, and he almost certainly would have commanded a maximum contract in free agency.

According to the report, Harden turned down a prospective extension recently that would have paid him somewhere around $52 million. Harden and his agent are reportedly seeking a maximum extension of $60 million over four years. The Oklahoma City front office is reportedly trying to ink Harden to a contract filled with incentive clauses which could bring the value closer to his desired amount.

The deadline for Harden to sign a contract extension in Wednesday at midnight. If his agent and the Oklahoma City front office cannot come to a deal by then, he will become a restricted free agent next summer.

A max contract of 4 years and $60 million is likely waiting for Harden from another team if the Thunder allow him to become a restricted free agent, but according to ESPN’s Marc Stein the Thunder are trying to secure Harden without paying max money:

Harden averaged 16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 rebounds off the bench for the Western Conference champs last season.