Well-traveled NBA star James Harden could soon be on the move again. The 33-year-old has been with the Philadelphia 76ers since landing with the Brooklyn outfit in a midseason trade during the 2021-22 campaign.
Harden averaged 21.0 points, 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, his first full year with the Sixers. Along with NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Harden helped lead Philly to a 54-28 record during the regular season. However, the Sixers were ousted in the Eastern Conference semifinals and parted ways with head coach Doc Rivers after a disappointing postseason.
The veteran guard left millions on the table for an NBA championship when he signed a two-year, $68 million contract with Philadelphia a year ago. This contract included a player option for next year. Read on for the latest developments with Harden’s contract status.
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Will James Harden leave the Philadelphia 76ers?
Harden’s future with the Sixers has been clouded almost since he joined the team midway through the 2021-22 season. Although the veteran posted All-Star-caliber numbers this season, including a league-leading 10.7 assists per game, speculation has constantly swirled about his long-term outlook with the team. Those questions increased when Philadelphia once again failed to reach the NBA Finals this year.
After sacrificing millions on a two-year contract he signed a year ago in an attempt to make a championship run, Harden’s time in Philly appears to be coming to an end. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Harden is exercising his $35.6 million player option with the 76ers with the understanding that both sides will work together to explore trade options for the star guard. For now, it looks like Harden may have played his last game as a member of the Sixers, with Wojnarowski also reporting that the Clippers and Knicks are among the teams that will have strong interest in Harden.
BREAKING: 76ers G James Harden is picking up his $35.6 million option and the two sides are starting to work together to explore trade scenarios, sources tell ESPN. Harden is expected to have played his final game with Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/GguWgysfNZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2023
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