James Harden is one of the most elite and dynamic players in the NBA.
The man who is best known for his beard and his ability to score at will has taken the league by storm ever since he entered it. He’s a five-time All Star, a Sixth Man of the Year award winner, and finished on the All-NBA first team in both 2015 and 2016. He’s one of the most unstoppable athletes in the NBA, and he’s deservingly getting paid like one.
Here’s how much Harden is worth as of 2017, and how one of the most prolific scorers in the league got there.
James Harden’s Net Worth As of 2017: $120 Million
2007 – 2009
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His infamous beard may not have been the nesting home for all sorts of animals like it is now, but Harden was still the same ridiculous scorer while playing at Arizona State. Harden made an immediate impression in the Pac-12 during his freshman season, averaging 17.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 5.3 rebounds on .527% shooting.
He improved over his sophomore season, increasing the length of his beard as well as his scoring average. Harden put up 20.1 points per game on his way to earning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors.
Harden then joined Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City after he was selected third overall, and signed with the team on July 11, 2009.
2009 – 2012
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Harden was never the main focus during his days in OKC, but he was far from an afterthought.
His rookie year began with him learning how to score in a much bigger and faster league, averaging just 9.9 points and 1.8 assists on 40.3% shooting.
Harden continued to grow as the Thunder continued to improve as a team. The team’s success was a direct result from Harden finding his role as one of the best bench players in the league. His averages increased to 12.2 points and 2.1 assists while shooting 43.6% from the floor.
His best season on the Thunder came in his final season in OKC, averaging 16.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds on his way to the 2011-2012 Sixth Man of the Year Award. The Thunder came just short of the title by falling to the Miami Heat in just five games as Harden saw his future on the Thunder come to an end.
2012 – 2015
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From the ashes of Oklahoma City’s chances to win a title with their young and up-and-coming Big Three rose Harden’s chances to truly develop as a scorer and go-to option in the NBA. On October 27, 2012, Harden was shipped off to Houston for Jeremy Lamb, Kevin Martin, and a few draft picks.
It was in Houston where Harden began to truly shine. He signed a deal with Houston that would earn him a career-high $5.8 million while earning All-Star honors for the first time and was featured on the All-NBA third team after averaging 25.9 points and 5.8 assists.
As Harden grew as a scorer, his net value continued to skyrocket as well. He earned over $13 million in 2013, over $14 million in 2014 and over $15 million in 2015 while his scoring only increased. Harden even earned All-NBA First team for the first time in 2015, averaging 29 points and 7.5 assists.
After his phenomenal 2015 campaign, Harden was rewarded that summer with a ridiculous contract from Adidas worth $200 million over 13 years.
2016 – Present
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Harden has solidified himself as one of the best in the league and the Rockets knew it when they offered him an extension through the 2019-2020 season, including $26.5 million for this season.
He’s been worth every single penny as he’s made sure everyone in the league is sure they can’t guard him. He’s averaged a career-high in both points (29.4) and assists (11.3) while proving to be the best scoring shooting guard in the NBA since Kobe reigned supreme.
Over the next few seasons, Harden is just going to earn more hardware and more fat paychecks.