![]() Still, locking him down longer on a better number could prevent overpaying Harden should he spike this season. The guard took a discount, and the 76ers could hold the line on a similarly priced contract next season should he opt out. Perhaps Morey is protecting the Sixers from overinvesting in Harden. Maybe those worrying about circumvention are just paranoid. This may be one of the best supporting casts Embiid has had since he played with Jimmy Butler in 2018-19, but that's supposing Harden resurges. Philadelphia should be strong with Harden, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, De'Anthony Melton and now Tucker and House. Like so many of the great big men in the history of the NBA, he's reliant on guards to get him the ball. While Embiid, 28, has eclipsed Harden as an MVP candidate, he clearly needs help. Whether it's new rule interpretations or just slippage, Harden's ability to attack the basket and parade to the free-throw line has dipped. "I'm sure since we got him, everybody expected the Houston James Harden, but that's not who he is anymore," was Embiid's take after the Miami Heat eliminated the Sixers in the conference semifinals last season. Joel Embiid is in his prime, while Harden may not be anymore. Or maybe it's the 76ers who are hedging their bets. Paul opted out to take a lower salary ahead of the 2021-22 season on a more lucrative four-year, $120 million contract (with $75 million guaranteed). The Sixers could have used the opportunity to lock him in on a longer deal near $35 million per season-similar to what Chris Paul did in Phoenix with the Suns. Harden once again holds leverage as he did in Brooklyn with the Nets before he forced his way to Philadelphia. The move would save the franchise significant luxury taxes, of which part could be kicked back to Harden via a longer deal at a lower price. The move was close to the B/R recommendation from May that Harden should opt out to sign a cheaper but still substantiative multiyear deal in Philadelphia. Harden will be 34 by opening night in 2023, presumably re-signed at the max if the cynic is correct. Had Harden opted in or re-signed at the max, the 76ers wouldn't have had the flexibility to sign both former Rockets. Harden, declining his $47.4 million option, amounts to a projected $14.4 million pay cut, allowing Morey to use the team's non-taxpayer mid-level exception on PJ Tucker and bi-annual exception on Danuel House (who both played with Harden, under Morey, in Houston).īut did the 76ers go far enough with a one-plus-one? Why didn't the team want a long-term arrangement at a cheaper price? That's where Morey seems to be looking back maybe more than he's looking ahead. However, after speaking with family and friends who are heavily invested in basketball -– including superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant –– Harden decided that he wanted to play for another title contender rather than join up with Golden State or Los Angeles.The perception, to some, has the Sixers rewarding Harden for helping Morey, president of basketball operations, "bring the band back together," as an NBA agent termed it-referring to the former Houston Rockets players recently added to the Philadelphia roster. This news comes as a bit of a surprise, as it was reported earlier this month that both sides were relatively close to an agreement on a five-year extension worth around $228 million. The deal is pending a physical exam and will allow Harden to opt out of the last year of his contract with the Rockets. James Harden and the Houston Rockets have agreed to a two-year, $68.8 million deal, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. ![]() Harden was acquired from the Nets via trade in a deal that included the number one overall pick in Ben Simmons, a center who has not played since he arrived in 2014, it is believed that Harden’s “Beard” did not have a great relationship with superstar players Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant while playing for the Nets. Harden wants to lower his salary so that the team will have more available resources for other players. In a rare interview, Houston Rockets superstar James Harden told Yahoo! Sports that he is willing to take less in order to improve the Houston Rockets and contend for championships. According to reports, The Rockets star would be traded to Philadelphia considering his stellar performance in this year’s playoffs. Harden will have a second opportunity to prove himself and impress the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden will decline his 2022-2023 player option and take a salary cut in order to build a more competitive team in Philly. According to ESPN, James Harden has agreed to a two-season contract with the 76ers that is worth $68.8 million, which was also previously expected by experts.
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