Harden not rushing extension talks with Nets: 'Always just been loyal'

Brooklyn Nets superstar guard James Harden isn't feeling any pressure to sign a contract extension in the near future.

"Over the course of my career I've never been a free agent before, so I've always just been loyal and just signing contract extensions. ... I just want to take my time with it," Harden told ESPN's Malika Andrews.

Harden, who has a $47.3-million player option for the 2022-23 season, is currently eligible to sign a four-year extension with the Nets that would keep him with the organization through 2025-26. However, Harden could also elect to decline his option and attempt to make even more money by signing a new five-year contract as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The 2018 MVP says the allure of playing alongside star talent in Brooklyn would be extremely challenging to walk away from.

"It's going to be very difficult to leave here, or even to leave Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but I think this season I just want to focus on winning the championship and everything else will work itself out," Harden said.

During his media day availability, Harden stated he wants to stay in Brooklyn for the rest of his career.

Harden is coming off an injury-riddled debut campaign with the Nets after arriving in a trade from the Houston Rockets. He averaged 24.6 points, 10.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds in 36.6 minutes across 44 regular-season games.