Philadelphia 76ers All-Star James Harden intends to decline his $35.6 million player option for next season to become an unrestricted free agent this NBA offseason, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Harden, one of the best players in NBA history, will “only entertain suitors that present a competitive roster and the basketball freedom for the star to be himself,” per Haynes.
“Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden intends to decline his $35.6 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent this summer in order to secure a long-term deal, league sources tell Bleacher Report. Harden, 33, took a sizable pay cut last offseason to help the Sixers build the roster out. The guard will now be seeking a four-year contract,” Haynes reported.
“The Houston Rockets have long been a rumored destination, but sources say Harden will only entertain suitors that present a competitive roster and the basketball freedom for the star to be himself, sources say,” Haynes explained.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Houston Rockets & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists this season for the Sixers while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. The 2017-18 MVP led the NBA in assists per game and helped Philadelphia win 54 games.
However, Harden came up short when it mattered most again, scoring only 13 points in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics and nine points in Game 7. The Sixers lost to the Celtics in seven games and fired Doc Rivers as head coach.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Houston Rockets & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden, 33, has been linked to the Rockets, Sixers and Phoenix Suns. The three-time scoring champion appeared in 621 games with Houston from 2012 to 2021 and averaged 29.6 points. However, the Rockets never made it to the NBA Finals during the Harden era.
A future Hall of Famer, Harden has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Sixers.
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