Getty Image / Tim Nwachukwu
James Harden recently turned down his player option with the Philadelphia 76ers, making him a free agent for the upcoming offseason.
Reports also indicate that the Houston Rockets are extremely interested in a possible reunion with the veteran guard.
However, nobody is quite sure what type of contract Harden will fetch. With that said, new rumors reveal that teams are considering giving him a massive deal.
According to Brian Windhorst, talks around the league suggest James Harden could be in the market for a four year $200 million contract.
There is "an appetite" around the NBA for James Harden landing a four-year contract worth more than $200 million 🤯
(Via @WindhorstESPN / h/t B/R) pic.twitter.com/uTXh5Tn5WI
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 21, 2023
Harden will be 34 by the time the next season kicks off. Additionally, he isn’t nearly as consistent as he was in during his prime.
This season, Harden averaged 21 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. It was a solid statline, but not perfect. Especially considering his scoring is noticeably declining these last three years.
At the same time, there is big play potential with him. Even so, NBA fans can’t seem to wrap their heads around a massive contract like that for James Harden.
You should be fired as a GM if you pay that type of money for that dude.
— Matt Sipes (@msipes) May 21, 2023
Rockets fans seem a bit concerned.
If the Rockets 🚀 pay him this type of money, I'm becoming a Spurs fan.
— urbanist (@JRDNLTHMS) May 21, 2023
You may pass “Go” and collect $200 million.
Yeah in Monopoly money maybe
— 💜 (@thefutxre) May 21, 2023
Some fans are losing trust in NBA reporters.
The more they put news like this the less I trust the NBA media… the reality is totally different, this is becoming a clickbait game
— Aleksandar (@aleksandariliev) May 21, 2023
Meanwhile, some people are convinced the only reason James Harden would get this contract is to help with ticket and merchandise sales.
They paying him to sell more merchandise and tix and bump up the valuation of the team.
— Abhishek Bhalerao (@mumbaiactor_) May 21, 2023
We’re still a couple of months away from the free agency window opening. Regardless, rumors suggest teams no longer in the running for the championship are already planning their offseason moves.
Keep an eye on James Harden for now, as he could fetch a huge contract this summer.