James Harden To Opt In $47.3M Player Option After Sixers Trade

James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The biggest blockbuster of the 2021-22 NBA season occurred just hours before the bell rang on the NBA Trade Deadline. The Philadelphia 76ers ended their standoff with Ben Simmons, trading him to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that brought James Harden to the City of Brotherly Love.

Joining Harden on the way to Philadelphia is Paul Millsap. Going to Brooklyn along with Simmons is Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks. This could be a trade that both teams benefit greatly from.

There are certainly going to be some people disappointed by how things went as the team acquired Harden from the Houston Rockets only 13 months ago. They were never going to recoup the draft compensation they sent out in that deal, but an argument could be made that the Brooklyn Nets are better today following this trade.

For the Philadelphia 76ers, it is all positive. Daryl Morey has landed the star he was hoping to pair with Joel Embiid, as he and Harden are now arguably the best duo in the NBA. Already looking like a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference without Harden, they are even scarier now as they didn’t have to part ways with any of their younger assets such as Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Emerging Names To Watch As NBA Buyout Candidates

In addition, the 76ers won’t have to worry about working out a new deal for Harden this offseason. As part of the trade, he is opting into his contract for the 2022-23 season. He will now earn $47.3 million next season before being an unrestricted free agent in 2023.

This is ultimately what he wanted, so it would be hard to imagine that Harden doesn’t long into a long-term contract when he is able to with the 76ers. Some of those numbers will be eye-popping as Harden will be eligible to sign a five-year, $270.18 million deal.

As that tweet states, that is going to be a deal that will cripple the 76ers financially. James Harden, who is already 32-years old, will be making over $61 million when he is 37-years old. This is the definition of an all-in move for Philadelphia.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Emerging Names To Watch As NBA Buyout Candidates

If they do not win a championship in the first two years of that deal, it will be extremely difficult for them to revamp the roster around an aging Harden and Embiid. But, that is the risk a team has to take to challenge for a championship.

While there could be issues down the road, as James Harden’s contract will be viewed in the same light as Russell Westbrook, John Wall and possibly Damian Lillard, it will all be worth it if the Philadelphia 76ers win the Larry O’Brien trophy between now and then.

Sources: Atlanta Hawks Could Trade Clint Capela This Summer

The Atlanta Hawks are one team that many people are going to be keeping an eye on during the 2024 NBA offseason. They are one

Sources: New Intel Regarding Donovan Mitchell’s Cavs Future

Despite the NBA playoffs being right around the corner, there have already been a lot of discussions about how the offseason can play out. This

76ers Achieve 121-107 Victory Over Harden’s Clippers

The Philadelphia 76ers clinched a 121-107 victory against James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers during Sunday’s NBA action. Tobias Harris scored 24 points, and