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 Cleveland Cavaliers. He is considered one of the NBA's greatest shooting guards and scorers. Known for his distinctive beard and nicknamed "the Beard," Harden was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He has won two gold medals representing the United States in international competition, at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2006: AAU Championship

In 2006, James Harden helped his AAU team, Pump-N-Run Elite, to the Las Vegas Adidas Super 64 championship, scoring 34 points in the victory over DC Assault.

November 30, 2008: Career-High 40 Points

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

2009: All-American and NBA Draft

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: 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.

2009: Declared for the NBA Draft

In 2009, after a successful sophomore season, James Harden declared for the 2009 NBA draft and hired Rob Pelinka as his agent.

March 6, 2011: Season-High 26 Points

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

April 18, 2012: Season-High 40 Points

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

October 27, 2012: Traded to the Houston Rockets

On October 27, 2012, James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets from the Oklahoma City Thunder 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 after being traded to the team.

2012: Harden wins gold medal at the Olympics

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

2012: Harden's scoring since joining the Rockets

Since his trade to the Houston Rockets in the 2012-13 NBA season, James Harden has scored the most points in the NBA.

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 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.

December 26, 2013: Record-Breaking Free Throw Performance

On December 26, 2013, 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) against the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing with a career best 22-of-25 from the free throw line.

February 5, 2014: Scored 3,000 Points With The Rockets

On February 5, 2014, 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

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

2014: Harden wins FIBA Basketball World Cup

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

April 2015: First Player With Two 50-Point Games

In April 2015, James Harden became the first player in Houston Rockets franchise history to have two 50-point games in a season. He also helped the Rockets win their first division title since 1994.

August 3, 2015: Harden signs endorsement deal with Adidas

On August 3, 2015, James Harden signed a 13-year, $200 million endorsement deal with Adidas, the sports apparel company.

November 2015: Scored 43+ Points in Consecutive Games

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

July 9, 2016: Signed 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: Named point guard for the Rockets

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

2016: Harden played at point guard for the Rockets

During the early portion of the 2016–17 NBA season, James Harden played at point guard for the Rockets, which resulted in him averaging over 10 assists per game for the first time in his career.

2016: Harden withdraws from Olympics

In 2016, James Harden withdrew as a candidate from the Olympics team.

July 8, 2017: Signed contract extension with the Rockets

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

2018: NBA MVP Award

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

July 18, 2019: Harden becomes part owner of Houston soccer teams

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

October 30, 2019: Scored 59 points against the Washington Wizards

On October 30, 2019, James Harden scored 59 points against the Washington Wizards, extending his streak of having a 50-point game in 6 straight seasons.

November 30, 2019: Scored 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks

On November 30, 2019, James Harden scored a season-high 60 points along with 8 assists in 31 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks.

December 11, 2019: Scored 55 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers

On December 11, 2019, James Harden scored 55 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

December 13, 2019: Scored 54 points against the Orlando Magic

On December 13, 2019, James Harden scored 54 points against the Orlando Magic, marking his second 50-point game in a row.

December 21, 2019: Passed Elgin Baylor for most 40-point games in NBA history

On December 21, 2019, James Harden passed Elgin Baylor for most 40-point games in NBA history, scoring 40 points in a win against the Phoenix Suns.

2020: Harden withdraws from Olympics due to injury

In 2020, James Harden withdrew from consideration for the Olympics team due to a hamstring injury sustained during the postseason.

January 14, 2021: Harden 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.

February 10, 2022: Harden traded to the 76ers

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

July 27, 2022: Harden re-signed with the 76ers

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

November 1, 2023: Harden acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers

On November 1, 2023, James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev were acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers from the 76ers for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Robert Covington. The Clippers also dealt a first-round pick, two second-round picks, a pick swap, and cash considerations to the 76ers, and a pick swap and cash considerations to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden reunited with Russell Westbrook for the second time in their careers.