Sports & Fitness

Harden balls with politics

Harden turns down record-setting deal for political reasons.

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 19 Nov 2020 1:00PM

Harden balls with politics
James Harden turns down RM205 million a year to join the Brooklyn Nets. - AFP pic, November 19, 2020

James Harden, Houston Rockets' point guard, has been reported to turn down a record-setting deal with the Rockets to trade to the Brooklyn Nets. 

Although sources have told other media portals that Harden turned down the opportunity to be the first NBA player to earn RM205 million a year to join a team with a real chance of winning a championship, other news reports indicated that the real motivation behind Harden's decision to leave is because of Houston Rockets' owner, Tilman Fertitta's support of the Trump administration. 

Fertitta purchased the Rockets back in 2017 and has been a consistent donor to the Republican party. 

According to veteran NBA reporter, Ric Bucher, Harden's move is political.

“We know how much politics and political position had to do with the boycott and protests during the Bubble — I’m hearing that Tilman Fertitta’s strong Republican support and donations is one of the things that is contributing to this dissatisfaction, and those two [Westbrook and Harden] are not the only ones to want out of Houston.

Bucher continued: “Lesser players are of the same mind. There is a revolt here because they look at Fertitta as a guy who supports the current President.”

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