James Harden net worth
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What is James Harden’s Net Worth, Career Earnings and Salary?
James Harden is an American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $165 million. Harden made a name for himself after moving from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets. He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021. James led the league in scoring three times, won the MVP, and was an eight-time NBA All-Star.
Today, James is considered one of the best players in the NBA, and he is also considered the best shooting guard in the league. Before entering the NBA, Harden played college basketball for the Arizona Sun Devils. James also won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. national basketball team at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
James is one of the highest paid players in the NBA. His annual base salary alone is as high as $44 million. He earns millions of dollars a year from endorsements.
early life
James Edward Harden Jr. was born on August 26, 1989 in Los Angeles, California. Harden grew up in a Christian family and remains a Christian to this day. Before he was born, his mother suffered multiple miscarriages. Harden has an older sister. Soon, James’ basketball talent was revealed. He excelled as a high school athlete and was named McDonald’s All-American. He also played for an AAU team that won the 2006 Adidas Super 64 championship in Las Vegas.
After high school, Harden attended Arizona State University and played for their basketball team. During this time, James began to gain a lot of exposure, even appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. After finishing his sophomore season, Harden declared himself eligible for the 2009 NBA draft.
NBA career
James started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his first season, despite being a young player, his three-point shooting was extremely high. After the 2011-2012 season, he eventually won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. That season, he helped the Thunder reach the NBA Finals, even though they lost to the Miami Heat. Harden was then offered a lucrative extension, but he turned it down and instead signed with the Houston Rockets.
Houston made it clear that they see Harden as a “foundation player” and that he’s not playing a backup role like he did with the Thunder. Almost immediately, he was offered a contract extension. As it turns out, their trust in him was warranted, as Harden recorded some of the most impressive numbers in history in his first season with the team. During this time, he also made his first All-Star team.
For the next few seasons, James has been in contention for the MVP award — an award he will eventually win in 2018. During that time, Harden got some additional contract extensions, and he’s clearly been an integral part of the Houston Rockets. He also led the league in scoring multiple times.
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Salary and Contract
Initially, Harden earned about $14.7 million a year as an NBA player. Later, as he became a core player for the Rockets, the money increased to about $40 million. In 2017, it was revealed that Harden signed a new contract and became the richest player in NBA history. The four-year extension with the Rockets is worth $228 million and pays James an average of $47 million per year.
In the fourth year of his contract (2021), Harden will make more than $530,000 per game. By the end of his contract, his total career earnings (salary and endorsements combined) will exceed $560 million. Between June 2016 and June 2017, James Harden earned $47 million in salary and endorsements. Between June 2017 and June 2018, James Harden made $47 million. Between June 2018 and June 2019, James earned $45 million through various endeavors.
In 2020, Harden’s contract is about to expire. To keep him on the team, Houston offered him a two-year, $103 million extension. Harden refused. The extension would make Harden the first player to earn at least $50 million in a season. With three years and $132.9 million remaining on his contract, Harden will still make a lot of money. Harden may have turned down a contract extension to encourage a trade to another team — the Brooklyn Nets. The deal takes place in January 2021.
Brand endorsement
In 2015, James Harden left Nike for $200 million to join rival sportswear company Adidas. The 13-year contract pays James an average of $15 million a year in addition to his basketball salary, and his annual salary now exceeds $40 million. Harden is also known for appearing in National Farm Insurance ads.
real estate
In 2015, Harden bought a home in Houston for $2 million. The property originally belonged to another NBA player, Cuttino Mobley. Built in 2002 with Mediterranean design influences, this home is located in a gated community within the Royal Oak Country Club, close to the golf course. With 7,100 square feet of living space and four bedrooms, the property is luxurious. Notable features include a generous staircase, a stone fireplace and a theatre room. The residence also sits on a half-acre lot that includes an infinity pool and a spa.
In 2019, Harden splurges on the wider property. He reportedly paid $10 million for the home on 3.5 acres in Rivercrest, an affluent Houston suburb. The home is a whopping 26,000 square feet and features a wine room, a full bar and a gym. The residence is constructed in a steel contemporary style.
