The Houston Rockets seem to be "all-in" this summer as they look to dethrone the Golden State Warriors next season in the Western Conference. Houston was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, and it became apparent that they need to improve over the summer. Earlier this offseason, the Rockets acquired Chris Paul from the Clippers via trade and paired him with James Harden in the backcourt. They also signed a versatile defender, PJ Tucker to a multi-year deal and re-signed their backup center, Nene Hilario. And if that wasn't enough, more good news came out on Saturday for the Rockets fans.
Harden signs the richest extension in NBA history
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported on Saturday that James Harden signed a contract extension with the Houston Rockets. Wojnarowski and Windhorst reported that it is the richest extension in NBA history, as the Rockets and Harden agreed to sign a $170 million, four-year extension. Harden still has two years and $59 million left on his current contract with the Rockets, and the latest extension will keep him in Houston until the end of the 2022/2023 season. This guarantees him $228 million throughout the next six years, giving him approximately $46.8 million in the 2022-23 season.
Houston has made extension official: Sources tell ESPN it will be worth $228M through the 2022-23 season. https://t.co/UZhYSo9ZHn
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 8. srpnja 2017.
Harden is coming off the best season of his career, as he averaged 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game last season with the Rockets.
He finished second in the league MVP voting, just behind Russell Westbrook. Harden was the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He joined the Houston Rockets as a free agent in 2012 and became one of the best players in the NBA. No doubt that the Rockets fans are happy to have him in Houston for at least six more years, as he looks to bring them the long-awaited NBA title.
"Houston is home for me," Harden said.
The Raptors move Carroll to the Brooklyn Nets
It was announced on Saturday by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that the Toronto Raptors traded DeMarre Carroll to the Brooklyn Nets. Carroll had two years and $30 million left on his contract with the Raptors, and they decided to move him in order to create salary-cap flexibility.
Toronto will also send a 2018 first and second-round picks, and in return, they will receive center Justin Hamilton.
Toronto has traded DeMarre Carroll, a future first-round and second-round pick to Brooklyn for Justin Hamilton, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 9. srpnja 2017.
Carroll played 72 games with the Raptors last season and averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He solidified himself as one of the better perimeter defenders in the league and connected on 34% of his three-pointers last season.
