Basketball: James Harden rejects richest deal in NBA history over messy divorce

James Harden during a game with the Houston Rockets. Photo / Getty Images

Houston star James Harden has reportedly knocked back the richest deal in NBA history to force a trade to a rival team.

Rumours have swirled all week that Harden wants out of the Rockets while the team self-implodes after a turbulent season from hell.

The 31-year-old scoring machine's reported determination to leave the Rockets comes after reports that Houston's other superstar Russell Westbrook also wants to leave, following coach Mike D'Antoni and GM Daryl Morey out the door.

The rumours surrounding Harden became much more than speculation on Tuesday (NZT) when ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the former Thunder guard has rejected a two-year monster contract extension that would see Harden locked in for five years until the end of the 2024-25 season.

The report outlines that the two-year deal would see Harden become the first player in league history to earn more than $US50 million in one season.

Harden reportedly has $131.5 million remaining on his contract with the Rockets which has another three seasons to run.

The latest offer from the Rockets would see Harden take in $US103 million in the final two years of his contract — more than $140 million, or $70 million per season.

It would take Harden's five-year deal at the Rockets to the stunning figure of $272 million ($NZ394m).

Having rejected the offer, Wojnarowski reports Harden has made it clear that he wants to move to the Brooklyn Nets to link up with fellow All Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in a new super team.

Sources: After turning down an extension offer to become the first $50M a year player in league history, James Harden’s message to Houston is clear: Get me to Brooklyn. Rockets and Nets have been in contact, but there’s been no meaningful dialogue. https://t.co/qwJOQOxz5U

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020