PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — James Harden, the All-Star guard whom the Philadelphia 76ers brought in to make a run at an NBA championship in 2021-22, will be staying in Philly for at least one and possibly two more shots at the title.
Sources confirm to KYW Newsradio previous reports that James Harden and the Sixers have agreed to a two-year, $68.6 million deal with a player option for the second year.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the player option will allow him to become a free agent again after this season.
The 32-year-old ten-time all-star guard declined his $47.3 million player option for 2022-23 to accept this shorter-term contract extension with Philadelphia, taking a $15 million dollar pay cut for 2022-23, giving them more salary cap flexibility, ultimately allowing the team to sign forward P.J. Tucker and swingman Danuel House.
Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey signed Tucker to a three-year deal worth $33.2 million and acquired guard 24-year-old guard De'Anthony Melton during the NBA Draft in a trade for Danny Green and the rights to rookie David Roddy.
After Harden was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to Philadelphia in the Ben Simmons deal, the 13-year NBA veteran averaged 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 10.5 assists in 21 regular season games with the Sixers.
In 12 postseason games this past season, Harden averaged 18.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.6 assists per contest.
Related
The Sixers defeated the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, but fell in the conference semifinals to the Miami Heat.
With Harden on the roster, the Sixers went 16-8 in the 2021-22 regular season, but 6-6 in postseason play.
Related podcast
