Woj: 'Harden will be back in Philadelphia, but not on max

76ers guard James Harden has underwhelmed so far in his brief stint in Philadelphia. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski: 'James Harden will be back in Philadelphia,' but 'almost assuredly' not on max extension

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/24/22

Last week, it was reported that former MVP James Harden was expected to re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers on a short-term extension. On Friday, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski indicated that he still believes that to be the case.

Woj says James Harden will be back with the Philadelphia 76ers but it won't be for the full 5-year max extension.#NBATwitter #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/EWxvwWHddw
— ’ (@_Talkin_NBA) June 24, 2022

In February, after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the 76ers, Harden said he intended to exercise his $47.3 million option to stay with Philadelphia next season. The Sixers shipped off veteran Danny Green and the No. 23 pick in Thursday night's draft to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for De'Anthony Melton and are said to be set on building a championship contender surrounding Harden, MVP runner-up Joel Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey.

The Sixers are coming off of yet another disappointing exit in the playoffs that saw them fail to advance past the second round of the postseason. The team has made the postseason five seasons in a row but has been eliminated in the conference semifinals four times and the first round once.

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