Report reveals reason James Harden opted in with 76ers

“Because he didn’t have a good feel for what the Sixers were going to offer him, more like a year ago when they were in long-term talks, he was afraid of going out into the market. There isn’t a strong market for James Harden right now,” Windhorst said. “The Sixers were positioning themselves to try to force him into a disadvantageous position, so he elected to opt into his contract. When you’re opted in, then you can be traded everywhere. When you’re a free agent, you’re limited in how and where you can go.”

It sounds like the 76ers were open to Harden returning, but at a discounted price. They likely believed Harden would not receive max offers if he hit free agency, and the 33-year-old must have agreed.

Only teams with sufficient salary cap space would be able to add Harden if he became a free agent. He could potentially have more suitors now that a trade is in play. Though, Harden’s next team will either have to sign him to an extension or risk losing him in free agency a year from now.

Harden is reportedly eyeing at least two Western Conference teams. There has also been talk of a surprise contender entering the mix for him.