What James Harden's record extension means for the Beard, Rockets and NBA

Houston gladly helped make Harden one of the highest-paid NBA players over the next six years

The Houston Rockets have watched Western Conference rivals lose star players the past two seasons. They know what happens to a franchise when its best player leaves and they know what James Harden means to them. So Houston stayed ahead of the game with the Beard, offering him the most money they can at every turn. They maxed him upon trading for him from the Oklahoma City Thunder and gave him another extension in 2016. 

And on Saturday, they inked Harden to a four-year extension that keeps him in Houston 2023 and pays him close to $47 million that final season. During the next six years, he is guaranteed $228 million, which is more than several countries' gross domestic product, and more than the United States held in 1792. So before inflation, Harden could take the money he will make between 2019 and 2023, go back in time, and buy the United States.

(OK, not really, that's not how economics work, but still. )

Gawk at the number, but it's based on salary cap projections. If the league were to make less money than expected, the number would go down. It's still a huge payday and it makes sense. Harden was second in MVP voting and led the Rockets to notable offensive heights and wins last season. He embraced Mike D'Antoni's system and it worked perfectly. 

Rockets showing the Love with their wallets

The Rockets are doing everything to make their star feel appreciated. Houston is taking advantage of its large-market status, owner Les Alexander is willing to spend to win and the Rockets are building a culture where the best players are rewarded. In the past, GM Daryl Morey's analytics-forward approach has been criticized as impersonal toward players. The Rockets are showing Harden personal regard with money, the clearest way to show a player love. 

The move keeps Harden through age 34. It's reasonable to wonder how Harden's game will age, but it's not built upon explosiveness -- like a Russell Westbrook -- and Harden carries no significant injury baggage. His game is floor-based, heavy off the dribble and jumper-reliant; it should age well. Just as important, it means that the Rockets can continue using Harden as a free-agent recruiter beyond his help in landing Chris Paul. Both parties benefit in the short and long term. 

Harden making mint

Meanwhile, Harden signs this deal on top of his $118 million extension in 2016 and the $200 million Adidas shoe deal in 2015, but minus the $33 million in the final year of his first extension (player option absorbed into the new extension). That kind of payday is how one maximizes the relatively short span of a playing career.  

It's remarkable how Harden has maximized his earning potential relative to his peers. Neither Stephen Curry nor Westbrook have generated this kind of income, at least on surface deals. Kevin Durant may be the only player who is close -- off his Nike deal -- but he just took a discounted playing contract to give the Warriors cap room. 

Everybody wins. The Rockets have built around Harden since trading for him in 2012 and want him around as long as possible. Harden will earn more with a franchise that has committed to him. Sometimes, a marriage just works out.