MATCH DETAILS- Fixture: Phoenix Suns vs Houston Rockets Date & Time: Saturday, December 21, 2019, 9:00 PM ET (Sunday, 2:00 AM GMT) Venue: Talking Stick Resort Area, Phoenix PREVIEW- The two teams will be coming into the Saturday’s fixture after a game against Los Angeles Clippers- one with an impressive win and another with a disappointing loss. The Houston Rockets will be coming into the game against Phoenix Suns after a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Their 122-117 victory was led by Russell Westbrook and James Harden [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/james-harden/], both of whom registered double doubles. Westbrook scored 40 points and took down 10 rebounds and Harden scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists. As many as six of their players registered a double digits point tally. They would be high on confidence after the victory, which was their 19th after 28 games in the season so far. For the Suns, the last outing in the NBA [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/basketball-2/nba/] ended in a 21-point defeat. However, their biggest positive would be the return of Deandre Ayton. Coming back from suspension, he immediately made an impact with a double-double. He registered 18 points and 12 rebounds on the night. The Suns, with a win-loss record of 11-17, are currently 11th in the Western Conference as they face an uphill battle on Saturday. INJURY UPDATES & TEAM NEWS- Phoenix Suns- Injuries: No injuries Expected starting line-up: Houston Rockets- Injuries: Eric Gordon (Knee)- Probable, Nene (Hip)- Out, Gerald Green (Foot)- Out Expected starting line-up: Russell Westbrrok, James Harden, Danuel House, PJ Tucker, Clint Capela PREDICTIONS- The Suns haven’t been able to win big at home. Their 6-10 record in Phoenix is far from what they would have hoped at the start of the season. The fact that the upcoming home game would be against a strong looking Rockets side won’t make it easier. The Rockets have won nine of their 14 road trips so far, and look good enough to win their 10th on Saturday. 

Injury Updates, Team News, Match Preview & Predictions for the game between
Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets on December 21

Saketh Kandadai

Saketh Kandadai, Author at EssentiallySports

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<h2 style="text-align: center">Who is James Harden?</h2>
James Harden has been one of the NBA's most talented offensive players over the last decade. The bearded shooting guard is known for his crafty style, superb ability to create his shot, and excellence at driving to the basket and drawing fouls.
After being selected #3 overall in the 2009 draft out of Arizona State, Harden first made his mark with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He, however, blossomed into a superstar after a 2012 trade to the Houston Rockets, developing creative moves like his signature step-back jump shot. With his scoring touch, he won MVP honors in 2018 and three scoring titles while with the Rockets, solidifying his status among the game's current greats.

<h2 class="whitespace-pre-wrap" style="text-align: center">James Harden's early life</h2>
James Harden was born on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, and spent most of his early life there. James Harden's parents are James Harden Sr. and Monja Willis. Since his father was in and out of prison throughout his childhood, Harden was mostly raised by his mother. He was the youngest of three children and there is a ten-year age gap between him and his next sibling. His elder brother is Akili Roberson, who has played college football. His elder sister, Arnique Jelks, is an interior designer.

Harden was nicknamed Lucky by his mother because Willis had multiple miscarriages before giving birth to him. Raising her children in Compton, Willis encouraged them to pursue sports to stay out of trouble.

The Beard developed a love for the game of basketball when he was very young and started playing the sport passionately. Soon, Harden became one of the most talented high school stars in the state. After graduating from Artesia High School, Lakewood in 2007, he received multiple college offers and committed to Arizona State University. Harden played two years of college basketball where he impressed many and declared for the NBA draft in 2009.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's wife and children</h2>
Harden has been in romantic relationships with many high-profile celebrities, like Amber Rose, Khloe Kardashian, Brittany Renner, and Ashanti, among others. Currently, the 2018 NBA MVP is rumored to be in a relationship with model Jessyka Jenshel.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's career timeline</h2>
James Harden started playing baseball after his mother Monja Willis encouraged her kids to pursue sports. A young James then turned to basketball and fell in love with the game. He soon developed impressive skills and always believed that he would one day play in the NBA. A few years later, he was a high school superstar and led his team to back-to-back state championships. Harden was also named a McDonald's All-American for his performances.

Harden's basketball coach Scott Pera was a huge reason behind the latter's success in high school. So Harden promised Pera that he would commit to whichever school he joined. After Pera joined Arizona State University as an assistant coach, Harden kept his promise and committed to the school. Harden's ascension continued in college where he caught the eyes of NBA teams. After two years, he declared for the NBA draft in 2009.

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Harden as the 3rd pick of the draft. The Thunder already had young stars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in their ranks. So Harden had to earn his time and come off the bench. He did not start any game in his rookie season despite playing 76 games. Also, he started only 7 games in his three-year stint with the Thunder. In his third year, Harden won the Sixth-Man of the Year award averaging 16.8 points per game. However, his time at OKC came to an end after the Thunder lost the 2011-12 NBA Finals.

[caption id="attachment_2205482" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2205482" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago0045805835h.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1748" /> December 19, 2019, Los Angeles, California, USA: James Harden 13 of the Houston Rockets during warmups prior to their NBA, Basketball Herren, USA game with the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday December 19, 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Clippers lose to Raptors, 117-122. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Clippers lose to Raptors, 117-122 - ZUMAp124 20191219_zaa_p124_003 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx[/caption]

OKC could have had one of the best trios ever. But they were reluctant to give Harden a Max deal, and he was not ready to accept anything less. So the Thunder traded Harden to the Houston Rockets, which allowed him to showcase his full potential. In his first season with the Rockets, Harden erupted for 25.9 points per game, which was a massive jump from the previous year. He also made the All-Star Team for the first time in his career in the same season. Harden continued his offensive dominance and was unstoppable at times. In 2018, he was the scoring champion and also clinched the NBA MVP award. He won the scoring title in the next two seasons as well. However, he could not lead the Rockets to the NBA Finals.

After spending nine seasons with the Rockets, Harden played for the Brooklyn Nets for less than two years. He then joined the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021 and has been an integral part of the team since then. Even <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-overconfident-james-harden-emphasises-respect-after-securing-second-straight-dub-for-clippers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">though he is not his MVP self</a> anymore, Harden is still a great playmaker who has averaged over 10 assists per game in the last five seasons. He was also the assists leader for the 2022-23 season.

[caption id="attachment_2360246" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2360246" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-11-15T032536Z_1399377516_MT1USATODAY21898553_RTRMADP_3_NBA-LOS-ANGELES-CLIPPERS-AT-DENVER-NUGGETS.jpg" alt="James Harden" width="1920" height="1280" /> Nov 14, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Following the 2022–23 season, Harden picked up his $35.6 million option to remain with the 76ers but eventually requested a trade, joining the Los Angeles Clippers in October 2023. With the Clippers, Harden surpassed NBA icon Jerry West for the 23rd place on the league's all-time scoring list.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's net worth 2024</h2>
NBA superstar James Harden is one of the highest-paid players in the league. In 2022, Forbes ranked him #12 on the world's highest-paid athletes list, after he earned over $74 million that year. According to various reports, Harden has an estimated net worth of $165 million. His salary for the 2022-23 season playing for the Philadelphia 76ers is reportedly $33 million. In his 14 seasons in the league, Harden has earned over $300 million in NBA salaries. The crafty guard has also amassed tens of millions in endorsements, partnerships, and investments.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's career stats</h2>
Regular season stats:
<ul>
 	<li>Games played - 1035</li>
 	<li>Points per game - 24.4</li>
 	<li>Assists per game - 7.1</li>
 	<li>Rebounds per game - 5.6</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Playoffs stats:
<ul>
 	<li>Games played - 160</li>
 	<li>Points per game - 22.7</li>
 	<li>Assists per game - 6.3</li>
 	<li>Rebounds per game - 5.5</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's partnerships and endorsements</h2>
James Harden reportedly signed a 13-year $200 million deal with Adidas in 2015 after leaving Nike. It is the second largest Adidas deal in sports history, only behind soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Harden earns around $15 million per year from this deal. From his other endorsement deals and partnerships, he earns an estimated $30 million a year in total. Some of the biggest endorsement and partnership deals of Harden are as follows:
<ul>
 	<li>Body Armor</li>
 	<li>Beats Electronics</li>
 	<li>Amazon</li>
 	<li>EA Sports</li>
 	<li>GoPuff</li>
 	<li>State Farm</li>
 	<li>Stance Socks</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's investments</h2>
James Harden has made some major investments with his investment firm 13 Endeavours. According to reports, he has invested big in Mitchell &amp; Ness, Jackpot, Art of Sport, Workstream, Pura, etc. In 2014, he reportedly invested $60 million in BodyArmor. Then in 2021, Coca-Cola acquired the energy drink brand which gave Harden a whopping 4000% return on investment. Furthermore, he also has a small stake in the Houston Dynamo of MLS with an investment of $15 million in 2019. In 2021, Harden purchased a minority stake in luxury retailer Saks.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's major achievements and awards</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>NBA Most Valuable Player (2018)</li>
 	<li>10× NBA All-Star (2013–2022)</li>
 	<li>6× All-NBA First Team (2014, 2015, 2017–2020)</li>
 	<li>All-NBA Third Team (2013)</li>
 	<li>NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2012)</li>
 	<li>3× NBA scoring champion (2018–2020)</li>
 	<li>2× NBA assists leader (2017, 2023)</li>
 	<li>NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2010)</li>
 	<li>NBA 75th Anniversary Team</li>
 	<li>Consensus first-team All-American (2009)</li>
 	<li>Pac-10 Player of the Year (2009)</li>
 	<li>2× First-team All-Pac-10 (2008, 2009)</li>
 	<li>No. 13 jersey retired by Arizona State Sun Devils</li>
 	<li>Second-team Parade All-American (2007)</li>
 	<li>McDonald's All-American (2007)</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's contract details</h2>
James Harden signed a two-year $68 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022. With this, he agreed to receive $33 million for the 2022-23 season and $35 million for the 2023-24 season. Following the 2022–23 season, Harden picked up his $35.6 million option to remain with the 76ers but eventually requested a trade. He was eventually acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers for an undisclosed amount.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's shoe deals</h2>
James Harden is currently locked into the 13-year $200 million deal that he signed with Adidas in August 2015. As per reports, Nike was unwilling to match the number tabled by Adidas, with The Beard still the face of the brand. Derrick Rose of the Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, and LA Clippers star John Wall have also signed similar deals.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's charity and foundation</h2>
James Harden and his mother Monja Willis founded the "3 The Harden Way" foundation. The foundation aims to provide higher education to children in need. He also established the "Impact 13 Foundation", which is on a mission to help people with socio-economic disadvantages and empower women and the youth in the fields of education, entrepreneurship, the arts, fashion, and sports.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's car collection</h2>
James Harden has a great car collection and has been seen in some of his luxury rides from time to time. Some of the most dazzling cars in his collection are the Rolls-Royce Wraith, the Range Rover Autobiography, the Bentley Bentayga, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon, and a yellow Chevrolet Camaro SS.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's house</h2>
James Harden is one of the biggest fashion icons in the NBA right now. So when it came to his mansion, he did not play around. In 2019, the 10-time NBA All-Star shelled out $10 million to buy a luxury property in Houston that required three years to build. The estate spans over 3.5 acres with 8 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. The grand two-storied mansion has a gym, a theatre, a library, a game room, and a wine room, among other amenities. The house also has a large outdoor garden and an infinity swimming pool.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">James Harden's social media accounts</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Instagram</td>
<td><a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.instagram.com/jharden13/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@jharden13</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Twitter</td>
<td><a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://twitter.com/jharden13" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@JHarden13</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Facebook</td>
<td><a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.facebook.com/jharden13/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@JamesHarden</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Full Name</td>
<td>James Edward Harden Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popular Name</td>
<td>James Harden</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Birth Date</td>
<td>August 26, 1989</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Birth Place</td>
<td>Los Angeles, California</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Age</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Height</td>
<td>6' 5" (1.96 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weight</td>
<td>220 lbs (100 kg)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Parents</td>
<td>James Harden Sr. and Monja Willis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Siblings</td>
<td>Akili Roberson and Arnique Jelks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nationality</td>
<td>American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethnicity</td>
<td>African American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Net Worth</td>
<td>$165 million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Salary</td>
<td>$33 million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Relationship/Marital Status</td>
<td>Single</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Profession</td>
<td>Basketball player</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Philadelphia 76ers</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

James Harden

Here is everything you need to know about James Harden, his family, career, and the like. How much is the NBA star worth?

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Established in 1968, the Phoenix Suns competes in the Western Conference as a member of the Pacific Division. In their overall 56 seasons till now, the Suns have made 32 playoff appearances. The franchise has won three conference titles (1976, 1993, and 2021). However, the team always fell short of having the glorious championship ring. With new investments and the newly formed Big Three, the Suns are one of the strongest contenders in the division.?
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Season</td>
<td>Playoff Appearances</td>
<td>Conference Titles</td>
<td>NBA Championships</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1968-2023</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>3 (1976, 1993, 2021)</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Franchise History and Ownership</h2>
The franchise began as an expansion team. The first few years were mired with mediocrity. Suns finished their first year at 16-66, missing the playoffs. Critics doubted the success of Phoenix as an NBA market, but the franchise grew rapidly in the country. Their trip to the NBA finals finally ended in 1976 against Bill Russell?s<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/boston-celtics/"> Boston Celtics</a>. The Suns pushed the series to six games. In a buzzer-beating shot, the Celtics ultimately won the championship. After coming this close to the finals, the franchise started to rebuild around Walter Davis and also acquired Kevin Johnson in 1988. With Johnson, the Suns reached the playoffs for thirteen consecutive appearances and remained a title contender throughout the 1990s in the Charles Berkley era.?

<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/phoenix-suns/">The Suns</a> made it into the finals again but lost to the<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/chicago-bulls/"> Chicago Bulls</a>. Berkley was named the MVP in the 1992?93 season.?

Rankings got slightly better in the playoff games in the 1990s. But front office unrest and Barkley's strained relationship with Jerry Colangelo led to his trade to Houston which also marked a new era in the franchise. The Suns drafted Steve Nash in 1996, but he initially played a supporting role behind Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson. The team could only go far in qualifying for the playoffs.?

&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Player</td>
<td>Position</td>
<td>Induction Year</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Barkley</td>
<td>Forward</td>
<td>2006</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gail Goodrich</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>1996</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Connie Hawkins</td>
<td>Forward-Center</td>
<td>1992</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grant Hill</td>
<td>Forward</td>
<td>2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dennis Johnson</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>2010</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gus Johnson</td>
<td>Forward-Center</td>
<td>2010</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jason Kidd</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steve Nash</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>20181</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shaquille O?Neal</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>2016</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charlie Scott</td>
<td>Guard-Forward</td>
<td>2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Westphal</td>
<td>Guard-Forward</td>
<td>2019</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

The Suns had a fantastic 2004-05 season, finishing with the best record in the league and Nash winning the MVP award. In the 2005 playoffs, they made it to the Western Conference finals but lost to the Spurs. The team remained a strong contender. They had a 15-game win streak and a 17-game win streak during the 2006-07 season but again lost in the Conference finals.

In the next season, the franchise finished with a 55-27 record but was eliminated later in the first round.?

&nbsp;

The Suns made the playoffs 10 times during former owner Robert Sarver's 18-year tenure. Ishbia brothers Mat and Justin purchased the majority stakes from Sarver in 2022. The deal is marked as the most expensive in NBA history, at $4 billion. Here is a breakdown of Ownership history, throughout the years.?
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Owner(s)</td>
<td>General Manager</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1968-1972</td>
<td>Richard Bloch and Karl Eller</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1972-1988</td>
<td>Karl Eller</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1988-2004</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2004-2010</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>Steve Kerr</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2010-2012</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>Lance Blanks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012-2018</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>Ryan McDonough</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2018-2022</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>James Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023-Present</td>
<td>Mat Ishbia</td>
<td>James Jones</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Top-paid players and 2023-24 roster</h2>
Phoenix's roster for the 2023-24 season has many new additions, like<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/bradley-beal/"> Bradley Beal</a> and Jusuf Nurki?. The star-studded roster has the new big three in town and includes Booker, Durant, and Beal as three of the 500 players who are averaging at least 22 points per game.?

<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kevin-durant/">Kevin Durant</a> is not just the highest-paid on the team but also the second-highest-paid this season. His annual salary is $47,649,433.?

Beal is the second richest in the team. He is receiving the max contract worth $251 million that he signed with the Wizards. He is expected to earn more than $150M in his next three seasons. For this season, his base salary is $46,741,590 per year.

<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/devin-booker/">Devin Booker</a> signed a five-year, $158.25 million Supermax contract extension with the Suns in 2018. The contract began in the 2019-20 season, and Booker is currently in the fourth year of the deal. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.?

The newest addition, Nurkic, is a part of the multi-team deal that saw the departure of DeAndre Ayton to the Blazers. Nurkic is in his second-year max a-year extension worth over $70M. His average salary this year would be $17.5 million per year.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Player</td>
<td>Position</td>
<td>Annual Salary</td>
<td>Contract Type</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Beal</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$50,203,930</td>
<td>5 yr $251,019,650 MAX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Devin Booker</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$55,664,000</td>
<td>4 yr $222,656,000 S-MAX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kevin Durant</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$48,554,830</td>
<td>4 yr $194,219,320 MAX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jusuf Nurkic</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>$17,500,000</td>
<td>4 yr $70,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nassir Little</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$7,000,000</td>
<td>4 yr $28,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grayson Allen</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$9,350,000</td>
<td>2 yr $18,700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keon Johnson</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$3,129,323</td>
<td>4 yr $12,517,291</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eric Gordon</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$3,276,360</td>
<td>2 yr $6,552,719</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Okogie</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$2,886,336</td>
<td>2 yr $5,772,671</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Damion Lee</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$2,686,788</td>
<td>2 yr $5,373,575</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keita Bates-Diop</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$2,500,629</td>
<td>2 yr $5,001,258</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yuta Watanabe</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$2,500,629</td>
<td>2 yr $5,001,258</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Drew Eubanks</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>$2,500,629</td>
<td>2 yr $5,001,258</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jordan Goodwin</td>
<td>PG</td>
<td>$1,640,080</td>
<td>3 yr $4,920,240</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ishmail Wainright</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$1,201374</td>
<td>2 yr $2.402747</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chimezie Metu</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>$2.346614</td>
<td>1 yr $2.346614</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bol Bol Bol</td>
<td>PF</td>
<td>$2.165000</td>
<td>1 year, $2.165000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

Phoenix Suns

Established in 1968, the Phoenix Suns competes in the Western Conference as a member of the Pacific Division. In their overall 56 seasons till now, the Suns have made 32 playoff appearances. The franchise has won three conference titles (1976, 1993, and 2021). However, the team always fell short of having the glorious championship ring. With new investments and the newly formed Big Three, the Suns are one of the strongest contenders in the division.?  Season Playoff Appearances Conference Titles NBA Championships  1968-2023 32 3 (1976, 1993, 2021) 0  Franchise History and Ownership The franchise began as an expansion team. The first few years were mired with mediocrity. Suns finished their first year at 16-66, missing the playoffs. Critics doubted the success of Phoenix as an NBA market, but the franchise grew rapidly in the country. Their trip to the NBA finals finally ended in 1976 against Bill Russell?s Boston Celtics. The Suns pushed the series to six games. In a buzzer-beating shot, the Celtics ultimately won the championship. After coming this close to the finals, the franchise started to rebuild around Walter Davis and also acquired Kevin Johnson in 1988. With Johnson, the Suns reached the playoffs for thirteen consecutive appearances and remained a title contender throughout the 1990s in the Charles Berkley era.? The Suns made it into the finals again but lost to the Chicago Bulls. Berkley was named the MVP in the 1992?93 season.? Rankings got slightly better in the playoff games in the 1990s. But front office unrest and Barkley&#8217;s strained relationship with Jerry Colangelo led to his trade to Houston which also marked a new era in the franchise. The Suns drafted Steve Nash in 1996, but he initially played a supporting role behind Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson. The team could only go far in qualifying for the playoffs.? &nbsp;  Player Position Induction Year  Charles Barkley Forward 2006  Gail Goodrich Guard 1996  Connie Hawkins Forward-Center 1992  Grant Hill Forward 2018  Dennis Johnson Guard 2010  Gus Johnson Forward-Center 2010  Jason Kidd Guard 2018  Steve Nash Guard 20181  Shaquille O?Neal Center 2016  Charlie Scott Guard-Forward 2018  Paul Westphal Guard-Forward 2019  &nbsp; The Suns had a fantastic 2004-05 season, finishing with the best record in the league and Nash winning the MVP award. In the 2005 playoffs, they made it to the Western Conference finals but lost to the Spurs. The team remained a strong contender. They had a 15-game win streak and a 17-game win streak during the 2006-07 season but again lost in the Conference finals. In the next season, the franchise finished with a 55-27 record but was eliminated later in the first round.? &nbsp; The Suns made the playoffs 10 times during former owner Robert Sarver&#8217;s 18-year tenure. Ishbia brothers Mat and Justin purchased the majority stakes from Sarver in 2022. The deal is marked as the most expensive in NBA history, at $4 billion. Here is a breakdown of Ownership history, throughout the years.?  Year Owner(s) General Manager  1968-1972 Richard Bloch and Karl Eller Jerry Colangelo  1972-1988 Karl Eller Jerry Colangelo  1988-2004 Jerry Colangelo Jerry Colangelo  2004-2010 Robert Sarver Steve Kerr  2010-2012 Robert Sarver Lance Blanks  2012-2018 Robert Sarver Ryan McDonough  2018-2022 Robert Sarver James Jones  2023-Present Mat Ishbia James Jones  Top-paid players and 2023-24 roster Phoenix&#8217;s roster for the 2023-24 season has many new additions, like Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurki?. The star-studded roster has the new big three in town and includes Booker, Durant, and Beal as three of the 500 players who are averaging at least 22 points per game.? Kevin Durant is not just the highest-paid on the team but also the second-highest-paid this season. His annual salary is $47,649,433.? Beal is the second richest in the team. He is receiving the max contract worth $251 million that he signed with the Wizards. He is expected to earn more than $150M in his next three seasons. For this season, his base salary is $46,741,590 per year. Devin Booker signed a five-year, $158.25 million Supermax contract extension with the Suns in 2018. The contract began in the 2019-20 season, and Booker is currently in the fourth year of the deal. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.? The newest addition, Nurkic, is a part of the multi-team deal that saw the departure of DeAndre Ayton to the Blazers. Nurkic is in his second-year max a-year extension worth over $70M. His average salary this year would be $17.5 million per year.  Player Position Annual Salary Contract Type  Bradley Beal SG $50,203,930 5 yr $251,019,650 MAX  Devin Booker SG $55,664,000 4 yr $222,656,000 S-MAX  Kevin Durant SF $48,554,830 4 yr $194,219,320 MAX  Jusuf Nurkic C $17,500,000 4 yr $70,000,000  Nassir Little SF $7,000,000 4 yr $28,000,000  Grayson Allen SG $9,350,000 2 yr $18,700,000  Keon Johnson SG $3,129,323 4 yr $12,517,291  Eric Gordon SG $3,276,360 2 yr $6,552,719  Josh Okogie SG $2,886,336 2 yr $5,772,671  Damion Lee SG $2,686,788 2 yr $5,373,575  Keita Bates-Diop SF $2,500,629 2 yr $5,001,258  Yuta Watanabe SF $2,500,629 2 yr $5,001,258  Drew Eubanks C $2,500,629 2 yr $5,001,258  Jordan Goodwin PG $1,640,080 3 yr $4,920,240  Ishmail Wainright SF $1,201374 2 yr $2.402747  Chimezie Metu C $2.346614 1 yr $2.346614  Bol Bol Bol PF $2.165000 1 year, $2.165000  &nbsp;

Phoenix Suns Archives

Phoenix Suns Archives - EssentiallySports

<h2>Russell Westbrook: Net worth, salary, and endorsements</h2>
Russell Westbrook was born on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California. NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2017 was named after his father. Russell has a younger brother named Raynard and married Nina Earl in 2015. Currently, 'Russ' plays for the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/los-angeles-lakers/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>.

He started his <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/">NBA</a> career in 2008 when the Seattle SuperSonics (which later became Oklahoma City Thunder) drafted him as the fourth overall pick. He rose as a superstar while playing for the Thunder. Westbrook won the MVP award in 2017 when he averaged a triple-double for the season. He also set a record for the most triple-doubles in a season, with 42.

However, he was traded to Houston Rockets prior to the 2019/20 season. While his start with the Rockets was decent, injuries and questionable fit meant that Brodie ended up with a disappointing season.

[caption id="attachment_900442" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-900442" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-01-18T044844Z_782777261_MT1USATODAY17523169_RTRMADP_3_NBA-UTAH-JAZZ-AT-LOS-ANGELES-LAKERS.jpg" alt="Russell Westbrook" width="1920" height="1322" /> Jan 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) was given a technical foul for his reaction after a dunk over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Westbrook was traded again to the Washington Wizards. While the 2017 MVP did help the Wizards to the playoffs, both the parties agreed to part ways. Before the start of the 2021-22 season, Brodie was traded to his hometown team, Los Angeles Lakers.

While huge things were expected of the star trio of Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, it turned out to be a remarkably disastrous season for the Lakers as they failed to qualify for the Playoffs.

Westbrook has also represented the US national team twice, winning gold medals in the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics. Moreover, Westbrook plays at the point guard position and wears jersey No.0.
<h2>Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Lakers</h2>
After a decent season with the Wizards, rumors of Westbrook's potential departure started swirling. As the dust settled it was clear that Westbrook was on his way out, but his destination was not set.

Just as the market opened up, it was the Lakers who reportedly had a trade for sharpshooter Buddy Hield. But these rumors were immediately squashed as the Purple and Gold swept in for Westbrook. Trading away Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and multiple picks, the Lakers added a third superstar in Westbrook.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-763168" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Russell-Westbrook-Lakers-2.jpg" alt="" width="897" height="540" />

Brodie joined a stacked roster led by the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, injuries to both Davis and James didn't allow the team to build chemistry. Westbrook bore the brunt of the criticism as the Lakers failed to clinch a Playoff spot.

Although he showed sparks of brilliance, Westbrook was inconsistent under Frank Vogel. His public spat with the head coach didn't do the franchise any favors.

According to reports, the Lakers have tried to trade Westbrook away throughout the offseason. However, Russ seems set to enter the 2022-23 season donning the purple and gold.
<h2>Major on-court achievements</h2>
NBA Most Valuable Player?(2017)

9נNBA All-Star?(2011?2013,?2015?2020)

2נNBA All-Star Game MVP?(2015,?2016)

2נAll-NBA First Team?(2016,?2017)

5נAll-NBA Second Team?(2011?2013,?2015,?2018)

2? All-NBA Third Team (2019, 2020)

2נNBA scoring champion?(2015,?2017)

3? NBA assists leader (2018, 2019, 2021)

NBA All-Rookie First Team?(2009)

NBA 75th Anniversary Team
<h2>Russell Westbrook stats</h2>
Having played 1021 games in his NBA career, Westbrook has averaged 22.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists.

After averaging a triple-double 3 seasons out of 4 before joining the Lakers, Brodie <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">averaged</a> 18.5 points 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game in 78 games played in 2021-22.
<h2>Russell Westbrook net worth</h2>
Overall, according to <a href="https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/nba/russell-westbrook-net-worth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Celebrity net worth</a> the net worth of Russell Westbrook is estimated at around $200 million.

According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/russell-westbrook/?sh=5e3199052f40" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forbes</a>, Brodie was the 11th highest-paid athlete in the world earning $79.2 million in 2022.

[caption id="attachment_900446" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-900446 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-01-20T062648Z_1052742237_MT1USATODAY17532735_RTRMADP_3_NBA-INDIANA-PACERS-AT-LOS-ANGELES-LAKERS.jpg" alt="Russell Westbrook" width="1920" height="1280" /> Jan 19, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte (3) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2>Russell Westbrook's contract details</h2>
In 2017, Westbrook signed one of the largest contracts in NBA history, worth <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/russell-westbrook-6141/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$205 million</a> over five years, with the OKC Thunder.

For the 2022-23 season, Brodie will earn a whooping <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$47,063,478</a> even exceeding the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and easily the highest salary in the Lakers' lineup.?
<h2>Endorsements by Russell Westbrook</h2>
Westbrook presumably signed the largest contract in the Jordan Brand history when he signed an extension in 2017. A year later, he got his own signature shoe. Apart from Nike, he endorses top brands like PepsiCo, True Religion and Samsung. His earnings from endorsements contribute to around <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/russell-westbrook/?sh=4c66cf202f40" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$35 million</a> of his total earnings.
<h2>Russell Westbrook foundation and charity</h2>
Westbrook founded the 'Russell Westbrook Why Not?' Foundation in 2012, with an aim to inspire the lives of children. The foundation, according to its website, "is dedicated to supporting community-based education and family service programs while encouraging youth to believe in themselves."

Westbrook has also contributed to various charitable causes through his foundation. A couple of months ago, he stated that helping the ones in need was way more important to him than winning a ring.
<h2>How to contact Russell Westbrook</h2>
Russell Westbrook's Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/russwest44">https://twitter.com/russwest44</a>

?Russell Westbrook's Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/russwest44/">https://www.instagram.com/russwest44/</a>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319">Age</td>
<td width="319">33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Marital Status</td>
<td width="319">Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Wife</td>
<td width="319">Nina Earl</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Kids</td>
<td width="319">Noah Russell, Skye, Jordyn</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Nationality</td>
<td width="319">American</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Team</td>
<td width="319">Los Angeles Lakers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Rings</td>
<td width="319">Nil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Height</td>
<td width="319">6? 3? (2.01 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Weight</td>
<td width="319">91 kg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Wingspan</td>
<td width="319">2.03 m</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Shoes</td>
<td width="319">Jordan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319">Endorsements</td>
<td width="319">Nike, PepsiCo, Samsung electronics, true religion apparel</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Russell Westbrook: Net worth, salary, and endorsements Russell Westbrook was born on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California. NBA&#8217;s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2017 was named after his father. Russell has a younger brother named Raynard and married Nina Earl in 2015. Currently, &#8216;Russ&#8217; plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. He started his NBA career in 2008 when the Seattle SuperSonics (which later became Oklahoma City Thunder) drafted him as the fourth overall pick. He rose as a superstar while playing for the Thunder. Westbrook won the MVP award in 2017 when he averaged a triple-double for the season. He also set a record for the most triple-doubles in a season, with 42. However, he was traded to Houston Rockets prior to the 2019/20 season. While his start with the Rockets was decent, injuries and questionable fit meant that Brodie ended up with a disappointing season. Jan 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) was given a technical foul for his reaction after a dunk over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Westbrook was traded again to the Washington Wizards. While the 2017 MVP did help the Wizards to the playoffs, both the parties agreed to part ways. Before the start of the 2021-22 season, Brodie was traded to his hometown team, Los Angeles Lakers. While huge things were expected of the star trio of Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, it turned out to be a remarkably disastrous season for the Lakers as they failed to qualify for the Playoffs. Westbrook has also represented the US national team twice, winning gold medals in the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics. Moreover, Westbrook plays at the point guard position and wears jersey No.0. Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Lakers After a decent season with the Wizards, rumors of Westbrook&#8217;s potential departure started swirling. As the dust settled it was clear that Westbrook was on his way out, but his destination was not set. Just as the market opened up, it was the Lakers who reportedly had a trade for sharpshooter Buddy Hield. But these rumors were immediately squashed as the Purple and Gold swept in for Westbrook. Trading away Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and multiple picks, the Lakers added a third superstar in Westbrook. Brodie joined a stacked roster led by the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, injuries to both Davis and James didn&#8217;t allow the team to build chemistry. Westbrook bore the brunt of the criticism as the Lakers failed to clinch a Playoff spot. Although he showed sparks of brilliance, Westbrook was inconsistent under Frank Vogel. His public spat with the head coach didn&#8217;t do the franchise any favors. According to reports, the Lakers have tried to trade Westbrook away throughout the offseason. However, Russ seems set to enter the 2022-23 season donning the purple and gold. Major on-court achievements NBA Most Valuable Player?(2017) 9נNBA All-Star?(2011?2013,?2015?2020) 2נNBA All-Star Game MVP?(2015,?2016) 2נAll-NBA First Team?(2016,?2017) 5נAll-NBA Second Team?(2011?2013,?2015,?2018) 2? All-NBA Third Team (2019, 2020) 2נNBA scoring champion?(2015,?2017) 3? NBA assists leader (2018, 2019, 2021) NBA All-Rookie First Team?(2009) NBA 75th Anniversary Team Russell Westbrook stats Having played 1021 games in his NBA career, Westbrook has averaged 22.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists. After averaging a triple-double 3 seasons out of 4 before joining the Lakers, Brodie averaged 18.5 points 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game in 78 games played in 2021-22. Russell Westbrook net worth Overall, according to Celebrity net worth the net worth of Russell Westbrook is estimated at around $200 million. According to Forbes, Brodie was the 11th highest-paid athlete in the world earning $79.2 million in 2022. Jan 19, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte (3) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Russell Westbrook&#8217;s contract details In 2017, Westbrook signed one of the largest contracts in NBA history, worth $205 million over five years, with the OKC Thunder. For the 2022-23 season, Brodie will earn a whooping $47,063,478 even exceeding the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and easily the highest salary in the Lakers&#8217; lineup.? Endorsements by Russell Westbrook Westbrook presumably signed the largest contract in the Jordan Brand history when he signed an extension in 2017. A year later, he got his own signature shoe. Apart from Nike, he endorses top brands like PepsiCo, True Religion and Samsung. His earnings from endorsements contribute to around $35 million of his total earnings. Russell Westbrook foundation and charity Westbrook founded the &#8216;Russell Westbrook Why Not?&#8217; Foundation in 2012, with an aim to inspire the lives of children. The foundation, according to its website, &#8220;is dedicated to supporting community-based education and family service programs while encouraging youth to believe in themselves.&#8221; Westbrook has also contributed to various charitable causes through his foundation. A couple of months ago, he stated that helping the ones in need was way more important to him than winning a ring. How to contact Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook&#8217;s Twitter: https://twitter.com/russwest44 ?Russell Westbrook&#8217;s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russwest44/  Age 33  Marital Status Married  Wife Nina Earl  Kids Noah Russell, Skye, Jordyn  Nationality American  Team Los Angeles Lakers  Rings Nil  Height 6? 3? (2.01 m)  Weight 91 kg  Wingspan 2.03 m  Shoes Jordan  Endorsements Nike, PepsiCo, Samsung electronics, true religion apparel

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