Former NBA MVP James Harden is opting into his $35.6 million player option for next season with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, there’s a twist.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Harden is working with the Sixers to get traded. The Los Angeles Clippers have already spoken with Philly about a Harden trade.
“James Harden is opting into his $35.6 million deal for next season in order for the 10-time NBA All-Star and the 76ers to work together on a trade out of Philadelphia, league sources told The Athletic,” Charania wrote. “The Clippers and potentially one more team are expected to emerge as interested franchises in trade talks with the 76ers, league sources say. The 76ers made it clear throughout the process that the franchise did not see a long-term future with Harden, sources said.”
This is a huge turn of events, as Harden was expected to stay with the Sixers. New Philly head coach Nick Nurse met with “The Beard” in Houston a few weeks ago and the meeting went well.
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However, it appears money has gotten in the way between Harden and the Sixers, as the 10-time All-Star wants a max contract and Philly doesn’t want to give him one.
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 Nurse, who won the 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors over the Golden State Warriors.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Clippers 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, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Sixers. He is still looking to win his first championship.
It will be fascinating to see where Harden is playing next season.
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