Philadelphia 76ers Free Agent Star James Harden Sources told ESPN Wednesday that they are returning to the franchise with a new two-year $ 68.6 million deal, including player options for the 2023-24 season.
The deal guarantees Harden $ 33 million next season, rejects the $ 35.6 million player option, and has the opportunity to negotiate another free agent deal next summer, sources said.
Harden, who rejected the $ 47.4 million player option next season, gained the flexibility of a 76ers salary cap with a wage cut from 2022 to 23. PJ Tucker When Danuel House Use mid-level and twice-yearly exceptions to facilitate the ability to get De’Anthony Melton In a draft night trade with Memphis.
Harden (10 All-Stars and 6 First Team All-NBA Guards) gives Daryl Morey’s Sixers president of basketball operations his role in strengthening the team’s roster and giving them better opportunities. To compete for the championship that he said he wanted to play. Also, by rejecting the $ 47.4 million player option, organizations may have the flexibility to trade as the season begins.
The franchise expects Harden’s commitment to victory to include returning to a pre-season training camp in better shape than he played in both Brooklyn and Philadelphia last season.
Harden, who will turn 33 next month, averaged 22 points and 10.3 assists in 65 Nets and Sixers games. Brooklyn traded him to Philadelphia in February. Ben Simmons Join the net. However, for the first time in five years, the Sixers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Harden spent only a year in Brooklyn, but his eight-year success in Houston ended near the beginning of the 2020-21 season. Kevin Durant When Kyrie Irving For important packages of draft assets and players, go online. Harden’s relationship with Nets deteriorated as New York City’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccine prevented Irving from playing in New York after suffering a second defeat to Milwaukee Bucks two years ago.
In Philadelphia, Harden reunited with former Rockets general manager Molly and helped keep Harden under this new deal and find ways to improve the franchise’s roster this summer.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps contributed to this report.
