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 an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. Renowned for his scoring ability and playmaking skills, he is considered one of the NBA's greatest scorers and shooting guards. Harden's achievements include being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He has also represented the United States national team, winning gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2009: Named All-American and Drafted to NBA

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 then selected with the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2009: Named Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year and Declared for NBA Draft

In 2009, James Harden 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 and employed Rob Pelinka as his agent.

2009: Drafted by Oklahoma City Thunder

In 2009, James Harden was selected with the third overall pick in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2011: Averaged 16.8 Points During Lockout Season

During the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, James Harden averaged 16.8 points in 62 games and later received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

October 27, 2012: Traded 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.

October 31, 2012: Signed Contract Extension with Rockets

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

2012: Oklahoma City Offered Contract Extension

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.

2012: Named NBA Sixth Man of the Year

In 2012, James Harden was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also helped Oklahoma City reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat in five games.

2012: Named to All-NBA Third Team

In 2012, James Harden was named to the All-NBA Third Team, marking his first career All-NBA Team selection.

2012: Trade to the Houston Rockets

In 2012, James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets and has since become the NBA's leading scorer.

February 2, 2013: Registered First Career Triple-Double

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

February 20, 2013: Scored Career-High 46 Points Against Former Team

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.

2013: Drafted Steven Adams and Álex Abrines

In 2013, The Houston Rockets received Steven Adams and Álex Abrines as draft picks, as part of the trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2014: Won Gold Medal at FIBA World Cup

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

2014: Drafted Mitch McGary

In 2014, The Houston Rockets drafted Mitch McGary as a pick, as part of the trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

August 3, 2015: Endorsement deal with Adidas

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

July 9, 2016: Signed Contract Extension with Rockets

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

September 2016: Harden Named Point Guard

In September 2016, new 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 as Point Guard for the Rockets

During the 2016-2017 NBA season, James Harden played point guard under coach Mike D'Antoni, averaging over 10 assists per game.

July 8, 2017: Harden Signs Four-Year 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 total six-year deal worth $228 million guaranteed, which was the richest contract in NBA history at the time.

2018: Named NBA Most Valuable Player

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

July 18, 2019: Became 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. He cited it as an investment in his city and to expand business interests.

2020: Requested Trade from the Rockets

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 Houston Rockets received Rodions Kurucs, Dante Exum, Victor Oladipo, four first-round draft picks, and four first-round pick swaps as part of the trade.

February 10, 2022: Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers

On February 10, 2022, James Harden, along with Paul Millsap, was traded by the Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round selections.

July 27, 2022: Re-signs 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: Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers

At the 2022 trade deadline, James Harden was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers after being named to his ninth and tenth consecutive All-Star games.

November 1, 2023: Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers

On November 1, 2023, James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev were traded from the 76ers to the Los Angeles Clippers for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr., Robert Covington, a first-round pick, two second-round picks, a pick swap, and cash considerations.