“All signs point toward” James Harden re-signing with the Sixers on a short-term extension, league sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
The two sides are aligned on a reunion, but Philadelphia’s ownership is reluctant to offer Harden the full four-year, maximum-salary extension he’d be eligible for if he opts into his 2022/23 player option worth $47.4MM, which he’s expected to do, according to Fischer.
Fischer notes that a two-year extension would give Harden significant financial security while allowing more flexibility if things don’t work out with the Sixers. Harden could earn approximately $1.5MM more in a theoretical three-year contract if he waits until August 10, which is six months after he was traded to Philadelphia, Fischer adds.
It’s also possible that Harden could take less than the max to create more roster flexibility to build around star center Joel Embiid, who finished second in the MVP race for the second consecutive year. For that to make sense, the team would have to move off some long-term salary.
Fischer’s sources confirm a report from The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor stating that the Sixers are dangling the No. 23 pick and Danny Green in trade talks, but as we previously mentioned, using Green’s expiring contract as a salary-matching piece would also be a little tricky, since it’s currently non-guaranteed, meaning it would count as $0 for outgoing purposes.
The Sixers could guarantee some or all of Green’s $10MM salary to make it more useful in a trade. But the more money they guarantee, the less appealing it will be as an asset to a potential trade partner, since Green is expected to miss most or all of next season after tearing his ACL.
Fischer also confirms a report from Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that the Sixers are dangling Matisse Thybulle and Tobias Harris in trade talks. However, Philly values Thybulle’s strong defense and believes his poor performance in the playoffs may have been a result of being ineligible to play in Toronto due to his vaccination status, Fischer writes.
The Sixers would require “a significant upgrade to their rotation” in the form of a starting-caliber player in order to move Thybulle, according to Fischer.
While Fischer doesn’t specify what Philadelphia would be looking for in exchange for Harris, he does note that “Harris’ representation has made it known that the veteran would like more on-ball opportunities within the Sixers’ offense, particularly in pick-and-roll action.”
I’d be a nice surprise if he only took a 2 year extension, as long as he takes a low enough salary this year to allow the Sixers to use the full MLE.
IMO
Harden is likely to sign two years extension at $90 million
Tobias Harris has two years remaining on his deal, while Tyrese Maxey still has two years left on his rookie-scale contract before he either signs an extension or becomes a restricted free agent
His agent would refuse to compare to Tatum at $32 million per year
“Fischer notes that a two-year extension would give Harden significant financial security…”
According to Spotrac, harden has made over $250 MILLION so far in his career. How much financial security does he need???
Depends on how big his posse is.
He has no posse you picked the wrong P word. He has put like 1000 nurses and elementary school teachers through college.
You got the numbers wrong. Harden has put approximately 300,000 nurses and elementary students through college.
Trust me bro.
Short term extension is a major loss for Harden especially when he had max extension offered with Nets. In the meantime, it looks like a major win for 76ers, but not if Harden doesnt play hard. It could be loss loss for everybody.
Sixers paying Harden 40M plus for three straight years is definitely not a “major win” for them. Can you imagine Harden’s game at 35? Yikes.
Agreed!
Do you see any stars signing for less than 5 yr extension? He was suppose to sign for 5 so 3 is a major win.
Harden is finished ……. So are the Sixers.
You don’t invest in that Diva. Moreyon has lost his mind. Both will be gone in a yr.
Two hasbeens Two use2Bs …… poor Philly
The funny thing is he could be a has been, and we would still finish ahead of the knickerbockers lol. We appreciate your concern, but nah we are going to be just fine
A two year extension is still a 3 year contract going forward. Certainly relevant for Philly’s future (vs doing a total of 5 years), but not very meaningful in the short or intermediate term. He’s got 47 mm coming to him next year. He’s not giving that back, and even if he spreads some it to the second and third year, Philly is still looking at a tight payroll and luxury tax for the next couple of years.
Sixers saying they want “a significant upgrade to their rotation” for Thybulle & HARRIS says nothing.
Saying -what- they have been offered would be interesting.
Posters are saying, no calls will come in. But several teams have dumpable salaries to swap. I mentioned the Cavs, but Altman is so conservative, and seems intent on keeping Love in his collection.
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Harden getting $45m for still another year?— Maybe two more?— yi-ikes.
Next order of business needs to be to get him on a diet.
And get him an ankle bracelet to keep him out of the strip clubs.
Father Time is undefeated. Harden is washed! All the years of high usage effort of stacking meaningless triple-doubles has ended Harden’s superstar status early. And now Embiid still has no help! Fan base out here trying to make Tyrese Maxey, who is a good player, into a superstar. He ain’t a dude like that.
Harden is declining and as soon as refs stop calling fouls for him then his utility will decline precipitously. I would play off him on D to force him to take low efficiency jump shots versus letting him drive and draw ticky tack fouls.
I’m ok with this contract for Facilitator Harden. Not step back three with :15 left on the shot clock Harden. People will want to play with Harden and Embiid so I’m not worried about the cap space issue. I do think Harris is gone. I thought Dallas always had eyes on him but not sure what the return would be since they paid most of their shooters more than we could afford.