Career Timeline of James Harden: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of James Harden, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

James Harden is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers, renowned as one of the NBA's greatest shooting guards. A member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, he has achieved significant accolades throughout his career. Harden, nicknamed "The Beard", also secured gold medals with the United States national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Moses Malone's Scoring Streak

In November 2015, James Harden became the first Rocket to score 43-plus points in consecutive games since Moses Malone had two streaks of three games doing so during the 1981–82 season.

1992: Hakeem Olajuwon's Rockets Season

Hakeem Olajuwon captured Player of the Week honors three times in the 1992–93 season. James Harden joined Tracy McGrady and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only Rockets to ever capture Player of the Week honors three or more times in one season.

1994: Rockets Win Division Title

In 2015, James Harden helped the Rockets win their first division title since 1994.

2004: Tracy McGrady's Rockets Season

Tracy McGrady captured Player of the Week honors four times in the 2004–05 season. James Harden joined McGrady and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only Rockets to ever capture Player of the Week honors three or more times in one season.

2006: AAU Championship

In 2006, James Harden helped his AAU team, Pump-N-Run Elite, to the Las Vegas Adidas Super 64 championship. He scored 34 points in the victory over DC Assault and Pump-N-Run Elite beat Kevin Love's Southern California All-Stars in the final.

November 30, 2008: Career-High 40 Points vs. UTEP

On November 30, 2008, James Harden scored a career-high 40 points in an 88–58 victory over UTEP.

2008: Arizona State's Season and NIT Selection

In 2008, during James Harden's freshman year, Arizona State finished tied for fifth in the Pac-10 with a 21–13 (9–9) record. Although considered a bubble team for the NCAA tournament, they were selected for the 2008 NIT field, where they defeated Alabama State and Southern Illinois before losing to Florida.

2009: End of Sophomore Year and NBA Draft Declaration

In 2009, James Harden finished his sophomore year with averages of 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He was named to the All-Pac 10 Tournament Team and was named the Pacific-10 Conference's Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. Following the season, he declared for the 2009 NBA draft.

2009: All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year

In 2009, James Harden was named a consensus All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year while playing college basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He was also selected with the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2009: NBA Draft and Rookie Season

In 2009, James Harden was selected with the third overall pick in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He recorded the fourth highest 3-point percentage in NBA history (.375) for a player under the age of 21 during the 2009–10 season. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team at the conclusion of the season.

January 1, 2010: Start of Harden's Decade as NBA Leading Scorer

As of January 1, 2010, James Harden began his decade as the NBA's leading scorer, accumulating 19,578 points despite starting his career as a sixth man with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2010: Scored 10-plus points on 54 occasions

During the 2010-11 season, James Harden scored 10-plus points on 54 occasions.

March 6, 2011: Season-High 26 Points Against the Phoenix Suns

During the 2010–11 season, on March 6, 2011, James Harden scored a season-high 26 points against the Phoenix Suns.

2011: NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award

During the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, James Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 62 games (two starts), receiving the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

April 18, 2012: Season-High 40 Points Against Phoenix

On April 18, 2012, James Harden scored a season-high 40 points against the Phoenix Suns. He became the first NBA player in a reserve role to score 40 points since Rodrigue Beaubois in March 2010.

October 27, 2012: Trade to the Houston Rockets

On October 27, 2012, James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets along with Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich, and Lazar Hayward in exchange for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first round picks, and a second round pick. The Rockets' general manager called Harden a "foundational" player.

October 31, 2012: Contract Extension with the Rockets

On October 31, 2012, James Harden signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.

2012: Contract Extension Offer from Oklahoma City

During the 2012 free agency period, Oklahoma City attempted to sign James Harden to a four-year contract extension worth between $52 and $55 million, but he felt he was given too little time to consider the offer.

2012: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, James Harden was a member of the United States national team that won a gold medal at the Olympics.

2012: NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and NBA Finals Appearance

In 2012, James Harden was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat.

2012: Trade to Houston Rockets

In 2012, James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets at the start of the 2012–13 NBA season. Since then, he has scored the most points in the NBA.

2012: All-NBA Third Team Selection

In the 2012–13 season, James Harden was named to the All-NBA Third Team, marking his first career All-NBA Team selection. He became the seventh player in Rockets history to earn All-NBA recognition.

February 2, 2013: First Career Triple-Double

On February 2, 2013, James Harden recorded the first triple-double of his career against the Charlotte Bobcats, with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

February 20, 2013: Career-High 46 Points Against Oklahoma City Thunder

On February 20, 2013, James Harden scored a career-high 46 points in a 122–119 win over his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

December 26, 2013: Record-Breaking Free Throw Performance

On December 26, 2013, against the Memphis Grizzlies, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to register at least 27 points on two or fewer field goals made (2–9 FG), finishing with a career best 22-of-25 from the free throw line. This tied the Rockets single-game record for free throws made.

2013: Steven Adams Drafted

In 2013, Steven Adams was drafted as a result of a first round pick that was acquired from the trade that sent James Harden to the Houston Rockets on October 27, 2012.

February 5, 2014: 3,000 Points with the Rockets

On February 5, 2014, against the Phoenix Suns, James Harden became just the third player to score at least 3,000 points in his first 120 games played with the Rockets, joining Elvin Hayes and Tracy McGrady.

February 25, 2014: Season-High 43 Points Against the Kings

On February 25, 2014, James Harden scored a season-high 43 points in a 129–103 win over the Sacramento Kings.

2014: FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2014, James Harden was a member of the team that won the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

2014: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

In 2014, James Harden won a gold medal as a member of the United States national team at the FIBA World Cup.

2014: Mitch McGary Drafted

In 2014, Mitch McGary was drafted as a result of a first round pick that was acquired from the trade that sent James Harden to the Houston Rockets on October 27, 2012.

2014: Inaugural NBPA MVP Award

James Harden was voted the inaugural National Basketball Players Association's MVP for the 2014–15 season.

April 2015: Two 50-Point Games in a Season

In April 2015, James Harden became the first player in Houston Rockets franchise history to have two 50-point games in a season.

August 3, 2015: Adidas Endorsement Deal

On August 3, 2015, James Harden received an endorsement deal from Adidas worth $200 million over 13 years.

November 2015: Consecutive 43-Plus Point Games

In November 2015, James Harden became the first Houston Rocket to score 43-plus points in consecutive games since Moses Malone in the 1981–82 season.

2015: Improved Defense and Turnovers

In 2015, James Harden's improved defense carried over to the following season, contributing to the Rockets' regular season success. However, his turnovers were also noted, with Harden setting the NBA record for turnovers during the 2015–16 season.

July 9, 2016: Contract Extension with the Rockets

On July 9, 2016, James Harden signed a four-year, $118.1 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.

September 2016: Harden to play Point Guard

In September 2016, the Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni announced that James Harden would take on the point guard role to begin the 2016–17 season.

2016: Played at Point Guard

During the early portion of the 2016–17 season, James Harden was played at point guard by Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni, resulting in him averaging over 10 assists per game for the first time in his career in 2016.

2016: Withdrawal from Olympics

In 2016, James Harden was a candidate for the Olympics, but he withdrew from the team.

December 31, 2016: Harden's Historic Triple-Double

On December 31, 2016, James Harden recorded a triple-double with 53 points, 17 assists, and 16 rebounds in a 129–122 win over the New York Knicks, becoming the first NBA player to reach a 50–15–15 stat line. He tied Wilt Chamberlain for the most points in a triple-double in NBA history, set career highs for points and three-pointers, and matched his career best for assists. It was Harden's 17th career triple-double and his fourth 50-point game.

July 8, 2017: Harden's Contract Extension with Rockets

On July 8, 2017, James Harden signed a four-year contract extension with the Houston Rockets for approximately $160 million, resulting in a six-year deal with $228 million guaranteed, making it the richest contract in NBA history.

2018: NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 2018, James Harden was named the NBA Most Valuable Player while playing for the Houston Rockets and leading them to the Western Conference Finals.

July 18, 2019: Part Owner of Houston Soccer Teams

On July 18, 2019, James Harden became a part owner in Houston's professional soccer teams; the Houston Dynamo of MLS and the Houston Dash of NWSL.

October 30, 2019: Harden Scores 59 Points Against Wizards

On October 30, 2019, James Harden scored 59 points against the Washington Wizards, shooting 18–32 from the field and also recording nine assists. With this performance, Harden extended his streak of scoring 50 or more points in 6 straight seasons, which is the 2nd-longest streak in NBA history.

November 30, 2019: Harden Scores 60 Points in Blowout Win Against Hawks

On November 30, 2019, James Harden scored a season-high 60 points along with 8 assists in 31 minutes during a 158–111 win against the Atlanta Hawks, marking his fourth career 60-point game. This performance tied him with Michael Jordan for third-most 60-point games. His 24 shot attempts are the fewest ever in a 60-point game in NBA history.

December 11, 2019: Harden Scores 55 Points Against Cavaliers

On December 11, 2019, James Harden scored 55 points in a 116–110 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him the fourth player in NBA history with multiple games of 10 or more 3-pointers.

December 13, 2019: Harden Scores 54 Points Against Magic

On December 13, 2019, James Harden scored 54 points in a 130–107 win against the Orlando Magic, marking his second consecutive 50-point game and the third time in his career scoring back-to-back 50-point games. He also became the second player in NBA history to score 10+ 3PM in consecutive games and passed Paul Pierce for eighth in the all-time career three-pointers made list.

December 21, 2019: Harden Passes Baylor for Most 40-Point Games

On December 21, 2019, James Harden passed Elgin Baylor for most 40-point games in NBA history with 40 points in a 139–125 win against the Phoenix Suns. He was named Western Conference player of the month for December and finished the decade as the NBA's leading scorer with 19,578 points since January 1, 2010.

2020: Trade Request and Subsequent Trade

At the beginning of the 2020–21 season, James Harden requested a trade from the Houston Rockets and was subsequently traded to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a four-team trade.

January 14, 2021: Traded to the Brooklyn Nets

On January 14, 2021, James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. The Rockets received Rodions Kurucs, Dante Exum, Victor Oladipo, four first-round draft picks, and four first-round pick swaps in the trade.

2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection

In 2021, James Harden was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing him as one of the league's top 75 players.

February 10, 2022: Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers

On February 10, 2022, James Harden, along with Paul Millsap, was traded from the Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round selections. Harden also switched to No. 1 from the No. 13

July 27, 2022: Re-signed with the 76ers

On July 27, 2022, James Harden re-signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $68.6 million deal which includes a player option for the 2023–24 season.

2022: Trade to the Philadelphia 76ers

At the 2022 trade deadline, James Harden was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers.

November 1, 2023: Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers

On November 1, 2023, James Harden was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers along with P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev from the 76ers in exchange for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Robert Covington.

2023: League Leader in Assists and Trade to the Clippers

In 2023, James Harden led the league in assists for the second time in his career. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Clippers at the start of the 2023-24 season.