Harden signs with Thunder

 As of Sunday, July 12, rookie first round pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder James Harden is officially under contract.

Although the full terms of the deal were not initially disclosed, Sports Illustrated reports that Harden, the third overall pick, can earn up to $4 million this season.

James Harden played for Arizona State.

Harden was first-team All-American and the Pac-10 player of the year award winner last season.

He averaged over 20 points a game, 5.6 rebounds a game and 4.2 assists last year.

Hoops Hype reports the deal to be $4,000,160 for his rookie season and $4,304,520 next season.

Then the team has the option of paying Harden $4,604,760 during the 2011-2012 season. They can also choose to fork over $5,820,416 for the 2012-2013 season.

In the final year of his rookie contract, Harden is scheduled to make $7,636,385 if he qualifies for the offer.

This contract makes Harden currently the fifth highest tendered player on the Thunder roster.

What is more interesting is how they are paying Harden over $200,000 more than Russell Westbrook this season.

The top four paid in order are Earl Watson, Nick Collison, Nenad Krstic and Kevin Durant.

Also signed Sunday were center BJ Mullens, and forward Serge Ibaka. Mullens was tendered at $1,120,200 his rookie year, and $1,204,200 his second. Mullens is also scheduled to make $1,288,200 and $2,253,061 his third and fourth years respectively according to hoopshype.com.

For his fifth year, Mullens can make up to $3,293,975 if he qualifies.

Mullens was sixth-man of the year in the Big Ten having played for Ohio State.

Mullens is listed at 7’0’’ and 260 lbs which gives the Thunder a possible big man for the future.

Forward Serge Ibaka is listed under the same exact contract numbers according to Hoops Hype.

Those contracts make the two rookies tied for the 11th highest paid Thunder players under contract.

Serge Ibaka is a raw player with potential to make an impact in the future. He is listed as 6’11’’, 220 lbs

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