Harden signs $118 million extension deal with Rockets
LOS ANGELES: The Houston Rockets inked star guard James Harden to a four-year contract extension worth US$118 million dollars, the NBA team announced on Saturday.
The deal was announced after the team’s introduction of newly acquired free agents Eric Gordon and forward Ryan Anderson.
“I’m truly excited more t han ever,” Harden said.
“Ever since I stepped foot in Houston, it’s nothing but love... I’m happy to be here another four years. It’s been a progress. It’s been a build up. The addition of our new signings and a couple other pieces, good things are going to happen next year.”
Harden, 26, arrived in Houston prior to the 2012-13 season via a trade from Oklahoma City. With the Rockets he has developed into one of the league’s premier scorers.
Under the deal his annual salary will go from $16 million to $26.5 million under the new salary cap next season, and increase incrementally over the remainder of the contract.
Harden enjoyed the best season of his career in 2015-16, averaging 29 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game for a Rockets team that was eliminated in the first round of the play-offs by the Golden State Warriors.
PACERS OFFICIALLY SIGN JEFFERSON
The Indiana Pacers officially signed veteran free agent centre Al Jefferson to a multi-year contract on Saturday.
No terms were announced by the team but the deal is worth a reported $30.5 million over three years.
The 6ft 10in, 289-pound Jefferson spent the last three seasons of his 12-year NBA career with Charlotte.
Jefferson, who was drafted by Boston in 2004 (first round, 15th overall) out of Prentiss (Mississippi) High School, played three seasons with the Celtics before being traded to Minnesota.
He spent three years there before being traded to Utah, where he played three seasons. He then signed as a free agent with Charlotte in 2013.
The 31-year-old Jefferson has career averages of 16.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He averaged a career best of 23.1 in points in 2008-09 and a career best 11.1 rebounds in 2007-08. In 2014, he was a third team All-NBA selection.
Jefferson averaged 12 points and 6.4 rebounds in 47 games last season for the Hornets, dealing with a midseason injury to his right knee.