For the most part, James Harden won't be remembered most for his time with the Thunder. He ascended to superstardom in Houston, where he won an MVP award and posted otherworldly numbers for nearly nine years.
Harden's only NBA Finals appearance, however, came in Oklahoma City, where he got his start as a sixth man whose abilities went above and beyond his role next to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Despite only spending three seasons with the Thunder, Harden still ranks among some of the best players in franchise history.
Here's a look at where Harden ranks among Sporting News' nine greatest Thunder players of all time.
MORE: Ranking the 9 greatest players in Thunder history
Where does James Harden rank among Thunder legends?
Note: Only players who played for the Thunder after the move to Oklahoma City are considered.
Harden ranks No. 8 on Sporting News' list of the nine greatest players in Thunder history.
In terms of most talented players to ever put on a Thunder uniform, Harden would be near the top. Like Durant, Westbrook and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he's won an MVP, and he's earned a slew of All-NBA selections as one of the best scorers of his generation.
The vast majority of that production, however, came elsewhere. The Thunder were able to give Harden enough of a role to start showcasing his talent over the first three seasons of his career, but it wasn't until a 2012 trade to the Rockets that he truly morphed into a star.
Harden wasn't an All-Star or All-NBA player with the Thunder, and his limited time with the team keeps him below some smaller names who accomplished more in a longer timeframe with Oklahoma City.
Still, Harden has a place on the list of greatest Thunder players because he was such a critical part of the franchise's run to the 2012 NBA Finals — and partly because the history of the team is so short since the move to Oklahoma City.
MORE: Have the Thunder ever won an NBA Championship?
James Harden career milestones and achievements
Here's a complete breakdown of Harden's career achievements.
All-Star appearances with Thunder
Harden was not named an All-Star during any of his three seasons with the Thunder. He would go on to earn an All-Star selection in each of his seasons with the Rockets.
All-NBA selections
Harden did not earn any All-NBA selections during his time with the Thunder, though he became a staple on All-NBA teams after his trade to Houston.
Award voting
- 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year
- 7th in Sixth Man of the Year voting (2010-11)
Before be became an MVP in Houston, Harden won Sixth Man of the Year honors in Oklahoma City. After finishing seventh in voting the previous season, Harden averaged 16.8 points per game on improved 49.1 percent shooting in 2011-12 and won the award handily over finalists Lou Williams and Jason Terry.
MORE: Where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks in Thunder history
Playoff appearances
- 2009-10: Lost in first round
- 2010-11: Lost in Western Conference Finals
- 2011-12: Lost in NBA Finals
The Thunder experienced a 27-win improvement in Harden's rookie season as their core headlined by Durant and Westbrook solidified. Oklahoma City lost in the first round but came back the following season and reached the Western Conference Finals.
With Harden playing a larger role, the Thunder reached the NBA Finals in 2012 before falling to the Heat in five games.
Milestones
- 2,795 points
- 751 rebounds
- 542 assists
Harden's limited time and role with the Thunder prevented him from piling up major milestones, but he posted a stellar 125.4 offensive rating in his final season with the team and scored more than 1,000 points in 2011-12 despite the season being shortened by a lockout.
MORE: How SGA won 2025 MVP over Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo
James Harden career stats
Harden only averaged 12.7 points per game with the Thunder, though he came into his own with one of the most efficient seasons of his career on his way to the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2011-12.
| Season | Team | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | FG% | 3-pt% |
| 2009-10 | Thunder | 76 | 9.9 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 40.3% | 37.5% |
| 2010-11 | Thunder | 82 | 12.2 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 43.6% | 34.9% |
| 2011-12 | Thunder | 62 | 16.8 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 49.1% | 39.0% |
| 2012-13 | Rockets | 78 | 25.9 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 1.8 | 43.8% | 36.8% |
| 2013-14 | Rockets | 73 | 25.4 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 45.6% | 36.6% |
| 2014-15 | Rockets | 81 | 27.4 | 5.7 | 7.0 | 1.9 | 44.0% | 37.5% |
| 2015-16 | Rockets | 82 | 29.0 | 6.1 | 7.5 | 1.7 | 43.9% | 35.9% |
| 2016-17 | Rockets | 81 | 29.1 | 8.1 | 11.2 | 1.5 | 44.0% | 34.7% |
| 2017-18 | Rockets | 72 | 30.4 | 5.4 | 8.8 | 1.8 | 44.9% | 36.7% |
| 2018-19 | Rockets | 78 | 36.1 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 44.2% | 36.8% |
| 2019-20 | Rockets | 68 | 34.3 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 1.8 | 44.4% | 35.5% |
| 2020-21 | HOU/BKN | 44 | 24.6 | 7.9 | 10.8 | 1.2 | 46.6% | 36.2% |
| 2021-22 | BKN/PHI | 65 | 22.0 | 7.7 | 10.3 | 1.3 | 41.0% | 33.0% |
| 2022-23 | 76ers | 58 | 21.0 | 6.1 | 10.7 | 1.2 | 44.1% | 38.5% |
| 2023-24 | Clippers | 72 | 16.8 | 5.1 | 8.5 | 1.1 | 42.8% | 38.1% |
| 2024-25 | Clippers | 79 | 22.8 | 5.8 | 8.7 | 1.5 | 41.0% | 35.2% |
| Career | 1,151 | 24.1 | 5.6 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 43.9% | 36.3% |
MORE: 13 most devastating injuries in NBA playoffs history
James Harden best highlights
Harden put up 20 points off the bench to give the Thunder a 3-2 series lead in the 2012 Western Conference Finals:
Earlier in the 2012 playoffs, Harden impressed with a 15-point fourth quarter to help the Thunder put a dagger in the Mavericks.
Harden beat the buzzer at the end of the first quarter of Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Finals. Oklahoma City would go on to win the game but lose the series to Miami.
MORE: Ranking the 11 greatest Pacers, from Tyrese Haliburton to Reggie Miller