One NBA insider believes James Harden made a “big mistake” option into his 2023-24 player option with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thinks Harden should have declined his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers and entered unrestricted free agency this summer.
“With Harden set to turn 34 in August, this summer might have been his last chance to sign a max-level contract,” Swartz wrote. “Choosing to play on an expiring $35 million deal while now being ineligible to sign an extension is a potentially costly move for Harden, one which he’ll almost certainly regret three years from now.
“Players typically don’t increase their value year-over-year in their mid-30s, which Harden is going to find out the hard way. He should have taken the Brooklyn extension, negotiated a long-term deal with the Sixers or at least tried to work out a sign-and-trade this offseason. No team is likely to offer Harden $200 million on a new deal next summer. Opting in was a big mistake.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, no trade has taken place yet. Harden requested a trade from the Houston Rockets before the 2020-21 season started. The Rockets didn’t trade the 2017-18 MVP until January 2021. Harden also requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets and was dealt to the Sixers in February 2022.
The 33-year-old Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season. He 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. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach after the season and replaced by Nick Nurse.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Nurse and Harden met in Houston in June and the meeting went well. However, money has gotten in the way between Harden and the Sixers. Harden wants a max contract and Philadelphia doesn’t want to give “The Beard” one.
Harden is extremely upset at the way in which Philly handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the franchise.
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