NBA: James Harden set to leave 76ers, rejecting a $36.5m deal and moving into free agency
James Harden is about to LEAVE the 76ers, turning down a $36.5 million deal and moving to free agency… days after the Boston Celtics’ playoff defeat and insisting, “I just want to get involved ‘
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Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden plans to decline his $35.6 million player option and enter free agency this summer. Bleacher report reported.
The 10-time All-Star is seeking a four-year contract with a team with a “competitive roster” and wants the “basketball freedom … to be himself,” the report said.
Harden, 33, averaged 21.0 points, an industry-leading 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 58 games (all starts) in 2022-23.
The report cited a long-term deal with Philadelphia as “the only logical option” and downplayed rumors of Harden returning to the Houston Rockets.
The Sixers lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Boston Celtics on Sunday and fired head coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday.
James Harden about to leave Philly for a more ‘competitive roster’ and ‘basketball freedom’
Harden holds career averages of 24.7 points, 7.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 1,000 games (786 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and 76ers.
The veteran guard took a significant pay cut last season, just three months after arriving from Brooklyn, to help the Sixers build a competitive roster for this season. 24 season.
As things stand, re-signing with Philadelphia seems like the most logical choice as the 76ers finish in third place in the Eastern Conference in the regular season.
But with Rivers gone, the dynamic is bound to change in Philadelphia regarding next season’s plans, with rumors that JJ Redick could be snatched from his role as basketball analyst at ESPN.
There are also rumors that Harden would move to the Sun Valley, but that remains to be seen, especially if the Suns bring back 40-year-old point guard Chris Paul next season, which Bleacher Report says remains a possibility.
If Houston is out to bring Harden back to the Toyota Center, then the roster will need to be rebuilt to lure the 2018 MVP. The Rockets have a young talent show with players like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, along with No. 4 in the upcoming NBA draft.
However, the team finished bottom of the Western Conference since Harden left for the Nets early in the 2020-21 season, except this season when Houston eventually finished above the San Antonio Spurs, despite both Texas basketball clubs recording the same (22-60).
More to follow…