The Rockets managed to renegotiate and extend James Harden's contract in a very rare but smart way, thereby buying themselves an extra season to reload around their All-Star shooting guard.
Though Harden was already under contract through the 2017-18 season with a $78 million rookie extension, the Rockets reached a new four-year $118 million deal with the 2015 MVP runner-up. This new agreement gives Harden significant raises during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons while also extending his contract through the 2019-20 season.
The final year of the negotiation deal includes a player option, meaning that Houston has delayed the earliest possible date Harden can hit unrestricted free agency from July 2018 to July 2019.
The new contract also ensures that Harden remains Houston's highest-paid player next season despite the NBA's salary cap spike this summer.
After making the 2015 Western Conference finals, Houston endured a disappointing 2015-16 that lead to coach Kevin McHale's quick firing and Howard's off-season move to Atlanta in free agency. With a new coach Mike D'Antoni and Harden left as the team's only remaining star, the Rockets decided to recommit their best and most productive player.
Source: Sports Illustrated
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