Two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat Norris Cole has sparked a debate with his comments stating that he would rather choose $50 million and his championship rings over $400 million.
Norris Cole appeared as a guest on the “Club 520” podcast, hosted by former NBA player Jeff Teague, where he discussed numerous topics. However, the choice between less money with winning versus more money was an easy one for the 37-year-old.
He compared it to the more than $400 million in career contract earnings alone made by James Harden. Still, the 2018 MVP cannot boast a championship title.
“I choose 50 million and my rings”, said Norris Cole, adding:
“I can buy anything I want with 50 million. How many Rolls Royces and how many mansions do you want?”
Cole’s career
Over the duration of his career, Norris Cole earned “only” $8.4 million from NBA contracts, which could be considered below average by today’s standards for a useful role player – a role he played during the Miami Heat’s championship runs.
The American point guard spent four years in Miami before playing for the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.
After that, he continued his career across several continents. He played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, competing in the EuroLeague during the 2017/18 season.
Following his experience in Europe’s elite competition, over the course of his career he played for Monaco, Asvel, and Bourg in France, Unicaja in Spain, Al Ahly in Egypt, and Penarol in Uruguay.
Harden’s legacy
On the other hand, James Harden has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Apart from winning the 2018 NBA MVP award, he came close a few times to winning a championship – first alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, and later with Chris Paul in Houston.
Even in recent years, such as the 2025/26 season, Harden and the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals, only to be swept by the New York Knicks, who went on to capture the 2026 NBA championship.
