JULY 27: Harden’s new contract is official, the Sixers announced on Twitter.
“This is where I want to be. This is where I want to win, and I think we have the pieces to accomplish that goal,” he said in a statement. “From my first day with the 76ers organization, the team and the fans have helped me feel at home here in Philadelphia. I’m excited to build off of last season and I can’t wait to get out on the court with the guys and start this journey.”
JULY 20: James Harden is re-signing with the Sixers on a two-year, $68.6MM deal that includes a player option in year two, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter) that Harden will earn $33MM in 2022/23 and the player option is worth $35.6MM for ’23/24. The former league MVP will have the opportunity to enter free agency again next summer and possibly negotiate another contract.
It was viewed as inevitable that Harden would re-sign with Philadelphia, it was only a matter of when, not if. By agreeing to a one-plus-one contract structure, it will also give him veto power on any trade during the ’22/23 league year.
According to John Hollinger of The Athletic (Twitter link), with Harden on board at $33MM, the Sixers are approximately $3.4MM below the tax apron for ’22/23. The 76ers incurred a hard cap when they signed P.J. Tucker to the full mid-level exception and Danuel House to the bi-annual exception, so they cannot exceed the $156,983,000 tax apron at any point during the league year.
Both players were signed due to the flexibility Harden gave Philadelphia when he agreed to a pay cut — he previously declined his $47.4MM player option to sign a new deal. Harden recently explained the reasoning behind his decision to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
“I had conversations with (president of basketball operations) Daryl (Morey), and it was explained how we could get better and what the market value was for certain players. I told Daryl to improve the roster, sign who we needed to sign and give me whatever is left over,” Harden said. “This is how bad I want to win. I want to compete for a championship. That’s all that matters to me at this stage. I’m willing to take less to put us in position to accomplish that.”
Harden, who turns 33 next month, had a down season by his lofty standards, appearing in 65 regular season games (37.2 MPG) with averages of 22.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 10.3 APG and 1.3 SPG on .410/.333/.877 shooting. Those averages dipped to 18.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 8.6 APG on .405/.368/.893 shooting in 12 postseason games (39.9 MPG) with the Sixers last season.
He was reportedly hampered by a hamstring injury for much of the season, the same issue that plagued him in the playoffs last year with Brooklyn. Harden famously requested a trade from the Nets ahead of the deadline in February in a deal that sent Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and other assets to Brooklyn.
When Harden officially signs his new deal, Philadelphia will have 12 players on the 15-man roster signed to guaranteed deals, as shown by our roster count. He was ranked No. 3 on our list of the top 50 free agents this summer.
Deal of the century
For him….not so much for the sixers.
I seriously hope you’re being sarcastic.
Could’ve chosen to take the max and Sixers wouldn’t have been able to get the likes of Tucker, House and Melton.
Instead he took less and the team got better.
None of that.makes it the best deal that has ever happened in the history of basketball which is what you’re suggesting
I just meant it’s a terrific deal. Took way less and made the team better it’s very rare to see
How much of that 2 years will he be motivated to play?
Every single second of the first year if he wants to get another deal
The first year, the one that counts, he’s gonna opt out and re-up again, if he doesn’t play well this season he can’t make up the 14 mil he gave up this year…harden is about to have a bounce back season for sure, and hopefully Philly is terrible, unlikely both happen
Good deal for sixers
I actually see it as a lose lose for the 6ers.
James knows the 6ers won’t compete for a title this season. He’s making a phony attempt to change the narrative surrounding his desire to win. He even had to make sure the media knew, “this is how bad I want to win”.
If James.plays well this season, he’ll opt out and sign else where. If he stinks, he’ll probably still.opt.out and go.else where to try and win an easier chip.
All of other high priced players should follow his footsteps. A real class guy!
2 years of harden totaling 60 mil or 1 year of Lillard at 60 mil hmm you tell me ??
1 year of Lillard, 100%.
Also, you’re only getting that 2nd year of Harden at that price if he absolutely stinks this season, which frankly is likely.
He won’t stink, but I guarantee he’ll miss at least 15-20 games.
We need to know what contract was unofficially agreed on for next offseason between Morey and Harden. It all sounds very fishy, and hope that Morey will keep his promise. Not a Harden fan, but you dont want to see any player getting screwed. After all, in additiom in addition to having 1 yr left on his contract, Harden had 4 yr super max extension offer on table all year.
Morey owes everything to Harden. He made his career and let Harden burn down Houston prior to his exit. He will never get screwed by Morey. If Harden ever goes throw a dry spell at the gentlemens clubs Morey would help him out.
My Analytics says Harden is finished. And Moreyon is on the way Out.
There really is no way to properly evaluate Harden off of last season.
He was overweight and out of shape, so we don’t know what he has left.
Next season should be interesting to see what he looks like and whether he’s truly in a steep decline or not.
Hope the make it to the ECF and lose to the Celtics!
Warriors As of today
4 old men
4 old rookie contracts
3 mid age – Wiggins Looney Donte
4 rookies
I like it when you comment on things that have nothing to do with the post just to keep us thinking.
Pure genius.
Or maybe you’re drunk. Not sure.
Or maybe you’re a salty fan that thinks they are a gaslighting expert and everything/anything positive isn’t enjoyable for your mind
Good for the sixers, but Great for Harden
Handsome contract secured after a couple of down years for him
Dude, did you even read the comment I replied to?
Hopefully not, because if you did you have some serious cognitive issues.
The only thing I said about Harden was that him being signed wasn’t the best deal in the past 100 years.
I replied specifically to your maybe your drunk comment
If you replied specifically to that comment, then why were you talking to me about being salty about Harden.
My comment had absolutely nothing to do with him. The comment I replied to was about the Warriors.
You’re confused dude. Or maybe drunk.
I sure am.
@heatmike You are new to this site. Sillivan is always saying wacky stuff. Being drunk is rather appropriate.
@sillivan What are you talking about? You are forgetting J. Green. And they only have 1 rookie signed to a standard contract.
He took a 14 mm cut from his opt in number this year in exchange for a 35 mm option next year. Coming off the year he is, it’s more strategic than philanthropic.
When CP3, coming off a near MVP level season, “gave up” more in salary in exchange for less additional guaranteed money the following year he was called greedy.
How about you only update these articles if they DON’T end up signing the contract you already told us about…
It’s not like it really matters.
Why? Agreeing to a contract and signing one are 2 different things.
dribble dribble dribble drive, whistle, free throws
go to different team
repeat when bored
My condolences to Sixers fans.