James Harden reportedly just turned down a massive two-year extension with the Houston Rockets worth $100 million. Yup, James Harden just turned his back to a record-breaking deal that would have seen him earn a whopping $50 million per season.
We've compiled some of the best reactions from Twitter, and let's just say that there is a general sentiment of disbelief surrounding this recent turn of events.
For starters, it was ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski who first broke the news:
Sources: After turning down an extension offer to become the first $50M a year player in league history, James Harden’s message to Houston is clear: Get me to Brooklyn. Rockets and Nets have been in contact, but there’s been no meaningful dialogue. https://t.co/qwJOQOxz5U
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
The folks over on Twitter responded with what can only be described as an inability to fathom how Harden could turn down $50 million:
$50 million a year is around $136,986 per day. Every day.
— InsideHoops.com NBA (@InsideHoops) November 17, 2020
https://twitter.com/RaghavRamki/status/1328514893356609536?s=20
https://twitter.com/JaxsWrld/status/1328514924872609795?s=20
Bro fuck a championship give me $50 mill a year
— Justo (@JuiceTho) November 17, 2020
Rockets FO counting how much money they could give to harden to convince him to stay in Houston pic.twitter.com/4rh6qhRNya
— ⚡️ (@Prime_VC) November 17, 2020
Two things:
1) Aron Baynes now has a shot to become the first $50M a year player.
2) If Brooklyn can acquire Harden and Baynes stays West, we could finally get the Beard vs Beard NBA Finals matchup we’ve been waiting for since Harden and Baynes both entered the league.
— Unofficial Aron Brisbaynes Fan Club (@BaynesFanClub) November 17, 2020
https://twitter.com/heatboiz/status/1328515267249442817?s=20
That last tweet pretty much summed it up. Harden was so dead set on leaving Houston that he had the audacity to say no to a deal that would have made him the highest paid player in the history of the NBA. Simply put, the former MVP really, really, really wants out.
This leaves Houston in quite a predicament. Well, in reality, it actually leaves them with no other choice. Barring a stunning change of heart, James Harden will be able to force his way out of the team one way or another, so unless Houston is able to get a superstar caliber player in return, they are likely headed to a full rebuild. Let's not forget that Russell Westbrook also already has one foot outside the door.
The Rockets appear to have already taken the first steps in their comprehensive overhaul, with the team bringing in a new head coach and general manager. While it does seem unintentional, Houston seems to have placed themselves in a prime position to rebuild even before they knew it.
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