James Harden appears to have made it abundantly clear he no longer wants to play in Houston.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets guard turned down a two-year, $103 million extension on top of the three years, $133 million remaining on his deal.
A source confirmed to SportsRadio 610 that Harden turned down the extension, an offer which came after he made the Rockets aware of his desire to be traded.
The team hoped the max extension offer would change his mind, but it did not.
The extension would have made him the first $50 million per year player in NBA history.
Instead, Harden is determined to get Houston to trade him to the Brooklyn Nets where he can join forces with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and compete for a championship – something he does not believe the Rockets can do anymore.
Houston parted ways with head coach Mike D'Antoni (who is now an assistant in Brooklyn) and general manager Daryl Morey. Russell Westbrook has also expressed skepticism about Houston's future.
A source tells SportsRadio 610 the Rockets offered Harden the extension earlier this month, but it is not known when he declined the offer.
Per Wojnarowski, the Rockets and Nets have been in contact but have not engaged in any meaningful dialogue. The Rockets have not received any indication that the Nets could deliver a package for Harden that would net them their desired massive return of assets in a potential deal.
Harden, 31, is still under contract the next three years, with an opt out clause following the 2022 season. A trade to Brooklyn is seen as a two-year play to try and win a title, according to Wojnarowski, although the Rockets can be patient to make a deal as they have the leverage.
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