https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/James-Harden-turns-down-Rockets-103-million-15732253.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
An article from Houston Chronicle that backs up what Woj has said, while adding slightly more info:
James Harden on Monday went from interested to determined to make the career and franchise-changing move of leaving the Rockets for the Brooklyn Nets and took an unprecedented step to prove it.
Harden turned down the Rockets' offer of a two-year, $103 million contract extension, two individuals with knowledge of the offer confirmed on Monday. ESPN was the first to report the offer that would have had Harden, 31, under contract, for five more seasons.
The extension would have put Harden in line to become the highest-paid player in NBA history.
Harden made it clear that rather than likely finishing his career with the Rockets he wanted to be dealt to the Nets to play with Kevin Durant, his former Oklahoma City teammate, and Kyrie Irving. But he also indicated that he has no interest in going elsewhere and believes the Rockets should make the best deal with the Nets that they can, even if they do not consider it satisfactory.
The Rockets have been determined to strengthen their roster enough for Harden to feel confident about his championship chances if he remains and are willing to move slowly on any considerations of dealing their seven-time All-NBA guard.
Though the Nets have attractive assets to deal, starting with high-scoring guards Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie, the inability to offer a player viewed as a potential successor to Harden as a future superstar has left the Rockets resistant to the sort of move Harden is seeking, a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking said.
The Rockets have not engaged other teams in talks about Harden, the person familiar with the situation said, given that he only is interested in moving to the Nets and they don’t want to move him at all.
Similarly, he said that nothing was close on Monday in a potential deal of guard Russell Westbrook, finding few options initially that would move Westbrook and bring a return that would convince Harden that the Rockets can contend for a championship out of the loaded Western Conference.
Harden, the NBA’s leading scorer the past three seasons after leading the NBA in assists, has three seasons, worth $133 million, remaining on his contract, the last season at a player option.
The Rockets acquired Westbrook last offseason at Harden’s urging, trading Chris Paul and two lightly protected first-round picks, along with the right to swap draft positions in two other drafts, to the Thunder. Westbrook grew uncomfortable with his role in the Rockets’ offense, though the Rockets plan to make changes under first-year coach Stephen Silas and new general manager Rafael Stone.
The deal for Westbrook, however, has made the Rockets even more hesitant to begin rebuilding, given their lack of control over so many picks and a belief they can still be a factor in the Western Conference if Harden and Westbrook return with the right additions.
The Rockets on Monday did not consider the relationship with Harden to be broken, with conversations considered cordial if unable to sway Harden to reconsider his position. Just as he has spoken extensively with Durant and Irving about joining them with the Nets, he had spoken with Paul and Westbrook in previous offseasons, helping to lead to those trades.
The Rockets won 65 games and reached Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in their first season with Paul but have not advanced past the second round in the two seasons since, sacrificing first-round picks each season. The Rockets do not have a selection in Wednesday’s draft and have not had a first-round pick since selecting Sam Dekker in 2015.
The fourth seed in last season’s playoffs, the Rockets’ top six rotation players are under contract, making them feel as if the right moves can bolster their chances to compete. Instead, their most important, highest-paid players have made it clear they want to be elsewhere, with Harden willing to go to expensive extremes to prove it.
