Kyrie Irving’s next contract could serve as blueprint for James Harden’s new deal?

“And those examples can be followed,” Hodges said. “There can be repercussions to it—and that’s one of the things that the installation of the salaries that are being paid today… they can instillate players of a certain degree where they can have generational wealth, you know?” That wealth, he argues, provides a cushion—but not an escape from responsibility. Not when you’re awake. Not when your conscience won’t let you coast. “So someone like Kyrie, brilliant enough to see his impact—not only on the court, but also financially—but also realizing that basketball and my finances still doesn’t equate to what my conscious and my spiritual point of reference has to be in order for me to be able to enjoy those things that I’ve worked so hard for,” Hodges said. “And should I not be able to—based upon under the Constitution—you have certain unalienable rights, you know? Like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” -via ScoopB.com / May 22, 2025