A routine traffic stop led to James Harden’s arrest on Saturday, according to local authorities.
A representative for the Houston Police Department told The California Post on Monday that the NBA superstar was pulled over for some kind of traffic violation at 3 a.m. on a downtown Houston roadway.
“The driver of the vehicle identified himself as James Harden” during the stop, the HPD rep said, “and he was taken into custody for unlawful carrying of a weapon.”
According to court documents, Harden had handgun in his vehicle that “was not carried in a holster” while “in plain view.” He was formally taken into custody at 3:41 a.m. and booked on one misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying weapons.
In Harden’s mugshot, which was provided to The Post by the HPD on Monday, he could be seen wearing a black T-shirt and a stern look on his face.
Harris County records show Harden was released from jail on bond later Saturday morning and given an arraignment date of June 22.
However, the records also show that hearing date was rescheduled on Monday to Aug. 3.
Harden, according to the records, has hired high-powered Texas attorney Rusty Hardin to represent him in the case. Hardin has previously repped several famous professional athletes, including Deshaun Watson when the NFL quarterback was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple massage therapists.
Messages to Hardin and his office for comment on Harden’s case were not immediately returned.
Harden, a former Los Angeles Clipper who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has deep ties to Houston — he played nine seasons with the Rockets earlier in his NBA career.
Sources told The Post he had been out at a local hookah lounge with a large group of his friends before his arrest occurred.
