The Philadelphia 76ers do not want to give 10-time All-Star James Harden a max contract this offseason, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
Harden becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30 once he declines his 2023-24 player option. The former MVP wants a max deal from the Sixers after signing a two-year, $68.6 million contract last summer.
Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 2023-23 while shooting 44.1% from the floor, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. The future Hall of Famer led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
The Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games despite having a 3-2 lead in the series. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach and replaced by Nick Nurse, who won the 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden has been connected to the Sixers, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. It’s going to be very fascinating to see where “The Beard” is playing next season.
For what it’s worth, NBA insider Marc Stein is reporting that Harden is giving renewed consideration to staying with the Sixers.
“Some fresh hope, perhaps, if you’re rooting for James Harden to stay with the 76ers: There have been some rumbles this week that, despite the undeniably strong lure that a return to Houston holds for Harden, he is said to be giving renewed consideration to staying put,” Stein wrote. “There is a loyalty factor for Harden to weigh after Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey spent the bulk of his first 15 months in the City of Brotherly Love trying to acquire him, finally succeeding in February 2022.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
One of the greatest players in NBA history, 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. He is still looking to win his first championship.
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