The Philadelphia 76ers have made it clear they are focused on re-signing James Harden this offseason, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Harden is expected to decline his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers to become an unrestricted free agent.
“Philadelphia has made it clear the Sixers are focused on re-signing Harden, who has until June 29 to decline a $35 million player option for next year,” Fischer wrote. “Similar to last summer, it appears that Philadelphia would prefer to sign Harden to a shorter-term agreement, one that still provides a lucrative payday for the 10-time All-Star but doesn’t present the Sixers with the possible predicament that Washington currently faces with Beal’s long-term salary.”
Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 2023-23 while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. The former MVP 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 and replaced by Nick Nurse, who won the 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Harden has been linked to going back to the Houston Rockets this offseason. The future Hall of Famer has also been connected to the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. It’s going to be very fascinating to see where Harden is playing next season.
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. The 33-year-old could be looking for a long-term contract this offseason since he signed a two-year deal with the Sixers last summer.
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