NBA: Harden pens $160m contract extension with Rockets

The Houston Rockets have signed star guard James
 Harden to a four-year, $160m contract extension, giving 
him the richest contract in NBA history at $228m over six years.

The Rockets said on Saturday that the extension 
will run through 2022-23 season but will not kick in until 
2019.

"It's my pleasure to announce we've reached
 agreement with James Harden on a long term contract extension," Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander 
said in a statement.

He added that Harden's "incredible work ethic, desire 
to win, and passion to be the best" make him "the perfect leader in our pursuit of another championship".

This year's runner-up to Russell Westbrook for the NBA's 
MVP title, Harden has two years and nearly $60m left on his
current contract with the Rockets.

"Since he arrived in Houston, James has exhibited the
incredible work ethic, desire to win, and passion to be the
best that has made him one of the most unique and 
talented superstars in the history of the game," Alexander
 said.

Harden averaged 29.1 points and led the NBA with 11.2
assists last season.

Harden, whose team managed the league's third best win-
loss record in 2016-2017, became the first player in the
competition's history to record at least 2,000 points, 900
assists and 600 rebounds this season.

"Houston is home for me," Harden said. "My teammates 
and I are going to keep putting in the work to get better
 and compete for the title."

The new NBA season begins on October 20.