The NBA’s new CBA has clauses that will allow Russell Westbrook and James Harden to take advantage of the terms of the new deal, according to a report.
The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that Westbrook and Harden’s contract extensions will be grandfathered into the new deal and they would be allowed to sign super-max contract extensions this summer. That typically is not allowed because the CBA does not allow players to sign contract extensions in consecutive years.
If Westbrook is to sign a five-year super-max contract with the Thunder over the summer, it would pay him $219 million. Harden could sign for four years at $171 million.
One of the aims of the new CBA was to give financial incentives for players to remain with their original teams. These incentives allow certain players to make as much as 35 percent of the team’s salary cap. A player needs to make one of the All-NBA teams in two of the previous three seasons, or win an MVP or Defensive Player of the Year award in order to qualify for the super max.
Westbrook signed a three-year, $85.7 million extension over the offseason. The third year is a $30 million option. If he signs the super-max extension, it would kick in for the 2018-2019 season. Harden’s extension would begin in 2019.
Harden reportedly would consider other teams before deciding if he will re-sign with Houston long term. If he does leave the Rockets, it won’t be because of a lack of money.
