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The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a blockbuster deal at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline to acquire James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets, hoping he'd be the perfect running mate for Joel Emibid as the Sixers chased a championship. Between the big man's injuries and Harden's horrendous play, they ultimately came up short.
Now, The Beard is eligible for a max extension this summer, but most people believe the Sixers shouldn't sign him to one. It appears the organization is thinking the same as he's expected to ink a two-year deal instead.
Two weeks from the beginning of NBA free agency on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, all signs point toward All-Star guard James Harden returning to the Philadelphia 76ers on a shorter-term contract extension, league sources told B/R.
Harden and Sixers leadership are aligned on one clear directive, sources said: The franchise's best opportunity to compete for a championship starring Joel Embiid, as well as Harden's optimal opportunity to earn his first NBA ring, resides with Harden playing in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future.
Sixers ownership, though, has been resistant to the idea of giving Harden a full four-year maximum contract extension beyond his 2022-23 option season, sources told B/R, or the five-year deal that Harden would be eligible for if he chose to decline his $47.4 million player option for next season. Signing perhaps a two-year extension after his option season to create a new three-year framework would also provide Harden with greater optionality for his own career.
Harden is expected to opt-in to his $47.4 million player option for next season with the Sixers. However, there are some interesting tidbits to note in regards to a possible extension. If he signs before August 10th, he'd be able to get 105% of his 2022-23 salary in the first year of his new contract, followed by a 5% raise from there in the second. But if the Sixers guard waits until after that date, he would get an 8% raise instead of 5% in the final year of the two-year contract bringing in a total of $150.8 million. If Harden opts out, the most he can earn is $150.7 million. That being said, it's clear what decision is best for him.
The hope is Harden can build more chemistry with Embiid in a full season with the Sixers. After all, he joined mid-way through the campaign and had to learn a whole new offense. Averaging just 18.6 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in the playoffs aren't great numbers for a player like Harden, especially since he shut down on several occasions in the second half and crunch time. But, Daryl Morey has a plan and he believes it can still work. We'll see.
