Sixers star James Harden has decided to exercise his $35.6MM player option for 2023/24, but he doesn’t intend to return to Philadelphia, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). According to Charania, the plan is for Harden to work together with the 76ers to find him a new home via trade.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link) confirms that Philadelphia and Harden have begun to explore trade scenarios, adding that the expectation is that the 10-time All-Star has played his last game as a Sixer.
The news comes as a major surprise. For several months, Harden’s anticipated free agency was considered likely to be a battle between the Sixers and his former team, the Rockets.
Within the last week or two, Philadelphia had seemingly emerged as a clear frontrunner based on reporting from several outlets. However, the 33-year-old won’t actually reach free agency after all, opting into the second season of his two-year deal with the 76ers in order to make it easier to trade him.
The Clippers have expressed interest in acquiring Harden, a league source tells Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com (Twitter link). Wojnarowski (Twitter link) confirms L.A.’s interest and says the Knicks are also expected to engage in trade conversations with the Sixers.
The Clippers, armed with several movable contracts and a long-standing desire to add a backcourt play-maker, are an intriguing potential trade partner for Philadelphia. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link), Los Angeles – which has been gauging the trade market for Marcus Morris and Norman Powell – have also inquired about Sixers forward Tobias Harris.
The Knicks, meanwhile, also possess a handful of tradable contracts, including Evan Fournier‘s expiring $18.9MM deal, and control several extra future first-round picks.
Still, Chris Mannix of SI.com (Twitter link) cautions that the Clippers and Knicks won’t be Harden’s only suitors. Philadelphia is already casting a “wide net,” according to Mannix, who says the club will be seeking a package of players who can fit alongside reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
The Rockets could make a play for Harden via trade if they so choose, but they’ve seemingly shifted their focus to free agent point guard Fred VanVleet, and Harden is focused on a move to a contender, according to Wojnarowski.
Although Harden missed out on All-Star honors this year for the first time since 2012, he still posted strong numbers during the regular season, averaging 21.0 points, a league-leading 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game with a .441/.385/.867 shooting line in 58 appearances (36.8 MPG). He was expected to be among the top free agents available this weekend if he had opted out.
Because Harden is on a two-year contract, he won’t be eligible to sign an extension before he reaches unrestricted free agency in 2024. If he’s moved, he’ll be playing for his fourth team in four years. He was dealt from Houston to Brooklyn in January 2021 and from Brooklyn to Philadelphia in February 2022.
What if Rockets don’t offer equal value?
What if Clippers or Suns don’t offer equal value?
Rockets would offer both young talents and money?
prediction: 80% chance to Rockets
Why?
I have only one word to Rockets
desperate
Haha! Stop trollin sillyman, please just give me the move or moves that signal the rockets are desperate? Cause any smart person with the slightest bit of basketball knowledge can see that they’ve had a plan for a rebuild, have stuck with that plan, and have made good move after good move.
Good move after good move? A tad dramatic don’t you think?
Not at all bonercat, they’ve made good move after good move. Flipped harden for a ton of draft capital when everyone said they should’ve taken ben Simmons. Flipped Westbrook for wall and first round picks when everyone said Westbrook wasn’t tradable. Turned Robert Covington and PJ into first round picks. Traded Christian Woods for a first round pick. Deferred a first round from last year to this year giving them an extra pick in this draft. Held on the Eric Gordon and were able to move up 10 spots in the draft by flipping him and taking back no long term contracts, when everyone said they should just take a second round pick for him. That pick landed them a consensus top 5 pick in cam Whitmore. They had to get out of a ton of dead money and bad contracts the last two years because they were going from a championship roster to a complete rebuild, which they accomplished in two years and now have the most cap space available in the league. Signed the top coach available. Like I said, good move after good move bonercat.
Okay… your fandom has taken a hold of you a little too hard. First off, when Westbrook was on the Rockets there was nobody saying he wasn’t tradable. I mean the guy was traded twice since then making more money than he did in Houston so… Flipping RoCo… if I remember right the Rockets gave up multiple firsts for him. Had to attach PJ to recoup that value. Wouldn’t really call that a good move… I mean you’re talking about the rebuild like its over? It’s In it’s infancy my friend. Add all the rookies you’d like on top of $40 million man FVV and Dillon Brooks, this team has a long way to go and hasn’t shown signs of being able to compete in the two years you’ve mentioned. Not sure why you think the draft changed that over night. Honestly sounds like you take in poor opinions on the Rockets and when the team doesn’t do whatever dumb idea you read you count it as a win. Houston has plenty of upside but you need to lay off the gas a little.
The Westbrook trade was before the rebuild, which was when the rockets were still one of the top teams in the west and morey was the GM. And nobody said the rebuild was over. You’re pivoting because I gave you plenty of examples of them making good moves and you didn’t give me one example of them making a bad one… rebuilds take time. The warriors didn’t have a winning record until Steph’s 6th season. This is year 3 for the rockets. The rockets are accumulating good young talent, keeping cap flexibility, and acquiring draft assets. Again, good moves and what you want to see the team doing because if you make smart moves, success will come. And when they’ve made a move, it’s been a smart one, like acquiring KPJ for a bag of chips. You sound like someone that reads a headline and then pretends to know what they taking about without actually doing a little bit of research and/or actually knowing what you are talking about. It’s okay to be misinformed, but when someone corrects you, embrace it. You are now more knowledgeable than you were before, and that’s a good thing.
You say “championship roster” but I don’t see evidence of said championship.
That is correct, they were competing for one but because of some poor timely all time bad games from Harden they couldn’t win one. Then harden forced a trade and the rockets were forced to rebuild. Keep up.
These next couple seasons are going to destroy you emotionally. For your health I think you need to talk to your doctor about a script for some chill pills.
Because the Rockets have cap space I don’t think they have to worry about salary matching. I would be shocked if they gave up more than maybe Porter Jr and picks tho.
They have the cap space to add Harden WITHOUT giving up any assets, and are opting to not do so. No reason to trade for him. Harden’s contract demands have not changed. He is just following the blueprint laid by Kyrie. He wants a max deal. If nobody is going to give it to him, then he wants as close to it as possible. Purely chasing $$$ on last NBA contract he will sign.
Wow, where??
Rockers giving them young talent, cap match not necessary
KPJ and Whitmore?
To the Timberwolves
My prediction has been Harden and Danuel House to LAC for Powell, Mann and Batum. Sixers hang onto Tobias Harris. Harden forms a “Big 3” with PG and Kawhi, obviously a fragile one.
Sixers can still deal Tobias at the deadline and can move players like Springer,Korkmaz…maybe Melton for more wing depth
Harden is no longer a #1, #2 or #3 option on a legitimate title contender.
i completely agree, so do most Sixers fan outside of the terminally online faction. It’s not even about being what # option he is…..Harden just melts down in big games, and some philly media people have heard rumors that he dogged Game 7 because he wanted Doc gone….Even if that’s total BS, you can’t sign on to a player like that.
I’m legit shocked Morey played hardball with him, i thought for sure he’d bring him back on a Max deal til Harden was 38 yo. They have to make a decision on Maxey after this season, so they might as well see what he does being the lead guard
I don’t know how anyone can watch basketball and think that Harden is not at least a #3 option on a title contender. The Harden hate is out of control. He literally lead the league in assists, scored over 20 with 6 rebounds while having a TS% of .607 and 38.5% from downtown.
Because he never shows up in big games in the playoffs. And not only is he not good in those games, he’s awful. That’s who he is, a stat getter when it doesn’t matter and a turnover machine who can’t throw a rock into the ocean when it does. He can only play his way. He also flys out to Vegas to party all night in between playoff games when championship guys are preparing for the next game. Guys like harden don’t win championships. He’s been on stacked teams that couldn’t win because of him. He’s always out of shape and that’s only making things harder for him as he gets older. He’s not good enough or mentally strong enough to be on a championship roster, if he was, one of the many stacked teams he’s been on would’ve won one by now.
@rct, normally I agree with you and had been a Harden fan when he first arrived, however gotta partially disagree on this one.
I don’t believe anyone doubts his offensive ability and creativity – he’s a baller on W4th, but that’s not exactly a compliment, either. His defense is nonexistent. He has the ability, I’ve seen it, but only once or twice a game when he feels he needs to make a point. As talented as he is, he hasn’t won anything and has played with a good group of stars in this league. He’s the common denominator.
Told ya, James Harden won’t play D ……. not for Doc, not for Nick Nurse.
He’ll get traded to the CLIPPERS, as hundreds of LA strip clubs cheer in unison.
Agreed, that’s the only team I could see that will give him anywhere close to the money he wants. Nobody else is willing to give him a big contract anymore. (Portland mayyybe if they get desperate in an attempt to keep Dame but that doesn’t seem likely)
If adding Harden is all it would take to placate Lillard, then he’s not as smart as I think. I mean, seriously?
If he landed in Portland, no one would go past the perimeter on the offensive side of the court for them – Dame and James would be too busy chucking up half court threes before they could get to the paint.
Oh, how exciting!
Y’all are dumb. The rockets aren’t trading for harden, just stop. If they wanted him they could’ve had him. Maybe a team like the clippers will make a move and be willing to pay him, but nobody else was, including the 6ers
Facts!
As a Sixers fan this seems like good news. Harden was unreliable down the stretch and hopefully the Sixers can get some younger talent. This opens a bigger role for Maxey.
SIXERS fans should be ecstatic ……. Harden has shown exactly who he is in the last 2 playoffs – he’s slow, he’s passive and he doesn’t play any defense.
You should throw a party tonight. Great News!
HOU isn’t his destination (obviously), at least in a trade that nets PHI anything other than a TPE. If he was going to HOU, why wouldn’t he just sign there into their cap space?
This move suggests he is looking at teams that can’t do a SNT because of salary level.
This is great news. Nurse wants Defensive minded players. Harden was never going to buy in.
Houston is closed to Harden. He can go play with George and Kawhi. Maybe some east team wants him
Please lord, don’t even consider Harden Knicks. I might have to hand back my fan card if NY makes a move for him.
You and me both
There’s no way he fits the Knicks. Brunson and Randle are already ball-dominant and Harden’s lack of D doesn’t fit Thibs’s style.
Can’t believe there’s a team dumb enough to trade for him
NBA gm’s are the dumbest group on earth basically, look at the s**t they do every year.
Harden saw Westbrook fall from mvp to switching teams every season and he wants to ride the Mary go round too
Harden for Norm Powell and Marcus Morris straight-up.
As a Lakers fan I don’t want this to happen. Yes, I’m assuming it will work. For Philly this just makes too much sense.
I call bs here it’s a fact that morey is in love with Harden I can’t see him actually agreeing to trade him.
Morey can follow Harden wherever he goes. Morey has been awful in Philly
Please, not the Knicks.
So many harden haters… He put up 20 & 10 for the season and singlehandedly won two semifinals games in the playoffs but no contender should be in the market for him?? His Defense is questionable, doesn’t take care of his body like he should and disappoints sometimes in the playoffs, but under the right organization and circumstances (Heat, GS, Spurs, Even the Kings) he could still be an exceptional player.
That is until he finds the areas strip clubs and slowly brings down the team. Google an article about Westbrook not liking how harden ran the rockets as an example
Harden has a place in this league but no way would GSW, Kings or Heat be a match. The Heat more for the culture they have vs not being able to contribute.
Right organization? He just played for a GM whom he is close to, played with the MVP of the league and other stars on the team and didn’t even get to the eastern finals. Brooklyn? Nada. Houston? Nada. OKC is the only place he made it to the finals, but nada.
Harden for PG???
Would love that as a Sixers fan.
Or try include Tobias and make the deal bigger if that’s not good enough
Harden and Tobias for PG, RoCo and Morris
Always said how much I’d like Marcus Morris to return back to Philly. Some much needed toughness and alpha. Can still space the floor, good from the line, better defensively than Tobias. While we are at it I’d circle back to teams like the Heat and ask if they want Tucker..
Tucker and House for Robinson and a first
Maxey PG RoCo Marc. Morris Embiid
Melton Robinson McDaniels Mark. Morris
Tucker and house for Robinson would be a win for Philly, Tucker is done
This must have been a pretty recent development and decision by Harden. Makes no sense career wise to not at least work a sign and trade where Harden gets a multi year big money deal. Banking on going to a new system, thriving (which he hasn’t really done on his other two new teams), and then getting paid is a huge gamble for a player already in decline. Very odd
It appears that Philly ownership would not give the go-ahead for Darryl Morey to give Harden his Max deal. Harden is pissed because he was then forced into opting into the final year of his deal rather than signing his last fat contract now. Pissed at Philly for not paying him …. Nobody else willing to pay him ….. No choice but to opt out, and try to find a new team with hopes of getting his deal from them.
Harden doesn’t have trade value to bring Philly back anything significant in return. Harden is the missing piece for NOBODY right now, and that is not likely to change at this point in his career.
Portland is extremely desperate to show Dame they want to win. I would not be shocked if they over pay in a trade for Harden. Not shocked one bit.
Portland remains in the same place with Dame that they were in before. They can trade him to Miami for the same garbage can worth of assets from Miami at any point before the trade deadline. Adding Harden, even without giving up any assets, doesn’t make Portland any better.
Harden is no longer a #1, #2 nor even a #3 option on a title contender. Father Time remains undefeated.
The only “benefit” Harden can really bring a team right now is the fact that he is on an expiring contract.
4th team in 4 years? Whatever happened to loyalty and finishing the contract an owner so generously gifted you? Geez, this guy must be a real cancer in the locker room!
Great news for Philly , they hold the steering wheel now in one swoop of the pen
Harden again only thinking of Harden, he might be surprised how the leverage he just handed over comes back to bite him. / he doesn’t hold he gravitational pull he once did
Wrong LA team. He’s going to Lakers for a package consisting of AR Russell and Beasley, along with picks.
Every time Russell Westbrook thinks it is a done deal that he is back with the Clippers ….. A new backcourt name hits the market ….. Clippers immediately get mentioned as being a top contender to landing the player.
If I am Philly right now, I am on the phone with the Chicago Bulls. I will offer some type of future draft consideration, and a salary filler in a deal swapping James Harden for DeMar DeRozan. Both players are on expiring contracts.
Bulls get to “move around the chairs” since they are not rebuilding yet.
Philly already has DeAnthony Melton, and that is an upgrade over Harden. Melton is a significant defensive upgrade, and stuffs the stat sheet in multiple categories offensively. Much younger legs. Melton will be among the league leaders in steals if given starter minutes. DeRozan is still highly productive as a scorer, and is a much better compliment to Embiid than what Harden is.
Oh god I hope not
It would be a different experience for LaVine, being the best defender in his team’s backcourt. I mean, at least he’s not fat.
Take Fournier, Toppin and two 2nd Rd picks for Harden. NY could use him . Houston for K Porter, Tate and 2nd Rd pick
Portland for Dame!