IFWT_James_Harden

James Harden is going to be in Houston for a while and he will be handsomely compensated to do so. The team made a surprise announcement today, telling the media they agreed on a contract extension that will keep him in H-Town until at least the end of the 2019-20 season.

@IamJoeSports

The main reason for the press conference was to introduce free agent signings Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon, who both expressed interest in the Rockets because of Harden’s presence.

The extension, which runs through the 2019-20 season, is worth $118.1 million, according to multiple sources. Harden, who had two years remaining on his original deal with the Rockets, received raises of $26.5 million for 2016-17 and 28.3 million for 2017-18.

In the last two years of the deal, Harden will make base salaries totaling $63.1 million.

Last season, Harden, in leading the NBA in minutes, averaged a career-average-highs in points (29) and assists (7.5), while playing in 38.1 minutes per game. Harden also had 12 games with 40 or more points and had 18 games where he finished with double-digit assists.

Maybe he can take some of that new money and hire someone to teach him how to play defense.