When the NBA offseason arrives this summer, James Harden will be eligible to receive a mammoth five-year, $270 million supermax extension in free agency. But it may behoove the 32-year-old superstar to accept his $47 million option for the 2022-23 campaign, considering how poorly he's been performing with the Philadelphia 76ers' championship hopes in jeopardy.
Harden's streak of being held under 25 points in the postseason extended to 12 games on Wednesday at FTX Arena, as he scored 20 on six-made buckets in the Sixers' 119-103 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the East semifinals. Facing a threatening 0-2 series deficit without MVP candidate Joel Embiid -- who's sidelined indefinitely due to an orbital fracture -- the Sixers desperately need Harden to elevate his game and spark a turnaround.
"It looks like some Monstar took all of his powers. They should've put James Harden in that crap Space Jam sequel, because he sucks right now," JR said during the JR SportBrief show on Wednesday. "And I don't know what you're doing to turn back the clock on that guy. He's eligible for that extension that can pay him more than $50 million per season. But, does he deserve that? Hell no. If I'm the Sixers, am I giving him that money? Hell no.
"If I'm James Harden, I'm going to pick up my player option, pocket another $47 million. And maybe I'll get into shape this offseason and try to get a new contract. Because it ain't happening right now... Joel Embiid can come back, but there's no saving this dude. None... It's really a shame what we've seen with the Sixers and Harden. It's a shame that he seems disinterested... He's cooked, and he's playing like someone who's on vacation."
Philadelphia, which clinched the East's fourth seed with a 51-31 overall record, will play Game 3 against Miami on Friday night (7:00 ET tip-off). According to FiveThirtyEight projections, the Sixers currently have a 19-percent chance to reach the East finals and just a 6-percent chance to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2001. The franchise hasn't won a title since 1982-83.
JR's complete thoughts on Harden's struggles and the Sixers' playoff hopes can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the JR SportBrief show on Twitter @JRSportBrief, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.