James Harden has a reported net worth of $220 million. Yet he has found himself in a bit of a fix over just one percent of that whopping figure. Having played most of his career with the Rockets in Houston, Harden has invested a lot in the city. From his charitable ventures to business investments, Harden still loves the city even though he plays for the Clippers now in LA.
But according to reports, one of his investments is in trouble now. Thirteen, a restaurant in mid-town Houston, which is owned by the former Rockets player, has been shut down due to $2.2 million in “delinquent rents and other amounts due to the lease,” per a notice posted on the restaurant’s door.
“The door locks to the premises have been changed, and the tenant shall be excluded therefrom due to non-payment of rent,” read the notice on the restaurant’s door.
Two months after requesting a trade from the Rockets, Harden invested in and began the restaurant in March 2021. The restaurant officially opened its doors that month and was founded mainly due to his passion for excellent food and wine in Houston.
Now, over four years after its opening, the restaurant seems to be in trouble. According to the reports, the restaurant’s management is not responding or giving comments on the situation, but is still taking up reservations online. Harden might face legal action over the rent default.
Harden played 621 games for the Rockets over nine seasons. He averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game in that span, which certainly puts him on the right track to being a Hall of Famer in the future.
And while his time with the Rockets was very successful for him individually, his inability to win a championship despite a historic run as the best scorer in the NBA for a few seasons will forever be an asterisk on his time in Houston.
Just like his exit from the team was ugly, it seems that his restaurant’s time in Houston may also be coming to an end.
Harden recently returned from his tour of China with Adidas and should be focused on improving his fitness before the start of the season. But while he wants to be locked in on the court, such a problem off the court could take his focus away from the game.
The future of his restaurant remains unknown, but one thing is for certain. When Harden and the Clippers visit Houston in February next season, he may have to go somewhere other than midtown Houston to enjoy a meal. Especially if his restaurant does not reopen at a new location.
