Former NBA MVP James Harden could command an average annual salary of $40-45 million from the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Harden is expected to decline his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers and sign a new deal with them once free agency starts on June 30.
“The closer free agency draws, the louder rumblings become that James Harden will re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers,” Scotto wrote. “There’s been a recent belief that Harden could command an average annual salary of $40-45 million per year on a short-term deal from the Sixers after previously taking a discount with the Sixers to help the team land PJ Tucker.”
Many people thought Harden would go back to the Houston Rockets this summer. However, things have changed and now “The Beard” is expected to stay with MVP Joel Embiid and the Sixers.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
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 over the Golden State Warriors. Nurse and Harden met a few weeks ago in Houston and the meeting was very positive. Harden didn’t enjoy playing for Rivers.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
One of the greatest players of all time, 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. It will be interesting to see what type of deal Harden signs with Philly.
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