After an MVP-caliber season, the Houston Rockets are looking to extend James Harden’s contract, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Harden just recently signed a contract extension last summer, but that isn’t stopping the Rockets from trying to keep their superstar player for as long as they possibly can.
“For the second consecutive season, the Rockets intend to offer Harden a contract extension long before he could hit free agency, a person will knowledge of the team’s plans said Tuesday. The individual spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team’s intentions have not been made public.
The Rockets ‘plan to extend James Harden at the first opportunity,’ the individual said. ‘That is the plan.'”
This past season, James Harden put up some astounding numbers. In about 36 minutes per game, Harden averaged 29.1 points, led the league in assists with 11.2, and grabbed 8.1 rebounds. He also shot 44 percent from the field and just under 35 percent from three on about nine attempts per game.
The 27-year-old’s season has him in the top three for the MVP race, along with Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard. The two-time, and only ever unanimous MVP, Steph Curry, said James Harden should be the winner of the award this year.
While many thought the Rockets would barely make it into the playoffs at the beginning of the season, Harden helped lead Houston to a record of 55-27, good for the third-best record in the Western Conference. Houston eventually lost to the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the Western Conference Semifinals.
With all of the chaos currently going on surrounding Jimmy Butler and Paul George, the Rockets are playing it safe by making sure they have their star locked in for as long as possible.
