Houston Rockets guard James Harden has rejected a new contract with the franchise in a bid to push through a move to the Brooklyn Nets.
The former MVP has turned down an NBA-record deal of $50m per season, as reported by Sky Sports.
Harden will instead aim to secure a switch to the Brooklyn Nets. The move would see him reunite with former teammate Kevin Durant and former coach Mike D’Antoni.
Durant and Harden spent three years together on the court at Oklahoma City Thunder. They could link up with Nets star Kyrie Irving to form a potentially devastating trio in Brooklyn.
Phenomenal numbers for All-Star James Harden
Harden has been an All-Star in each of his eight seasons in Houston. He also lifted the MVP award in 2017/18.
The 32-year-old averaged 34.3 points, 7.5 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game in the last campaign.
He has also led the NBA scoring charts in the past three seasons.
Despite his phenomenal statistics, Harden has reached just one NBA Finals and three Western Conference finals. That sole Finals appearance came with Oklahoma alongside Durant in 2011/12.
Extremely worrying time for Houston
Losing Harden would be hugely damaging to the Rockets. They have already lost head coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey.
The pair headed for the Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers respectively in the off-season.
Harden had reportedly wanted the team to bring in John Lucas or Tyronn Lue to replace D’Antoni. In the end, however, they brought in former Dallas Mavericks assistant Stephan Silas.
Point guard Russell Westbrook, who only joined the Rockets last summer, is reportedly also keen to leave Houston.
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