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.
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.
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.
In 2015, James Harden helped the Rockets win their first division title since 1994.
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.
On November 30, 2008, James Harden scored a career-high 40 points in an 88–58 victory over UTEP.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
During the 2010-11 season, James Harden scored 10-plus points on 54 occasions.
During the 2010–11 season, on March 6, 2011, James Harden scored a season-high 26 points against the Phoenix Suns.
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.
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.
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.
On October 31, 2012, James Harden signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
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.
In 2012, James Harden was a member of the United States national team that won a gold medal at the Olympics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On February 25, 2014, James Harden scored a season-high 43 points in a 129–103 win over the Sacramento Kings.
In 2014, James Harden was a member of the team that won the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
In 2014, James Harden won a gold medal as a member of the United States national team at the FIBA World Cup.
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.
James Harden was voted the inaugural National Basketball Players Association's MVP for the 2014–15 season.
In April 2015, James Harden became the first player in Houston Rockets franchise history to have two 50-point games in a season.
On August 3, 2015, James Harden received an endorsement deal from Adidas worth $200 million over 13 years.
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.
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.
On July 9, 2016, James Harden signed a four-year, $118.1 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
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.
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.
In 2016, James Harden was a candidate for the Olympics, but he withdrew from the team.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2021, James Harden was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing him as one of the league's top 75 players.
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
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.
At the 2022 trade deadline, James Harden was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers.
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.
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.
On July 10, 2024, James Harden re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $70 million contract.
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