James Harden reportedly plans to opt into his $35.6 million player option for the 2023–24 NBA season, allowing him to work together with the 76ers on a trade away from the franchise, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Clippers and the Knicks are among the teams expected to engage in potential trade discussions for Harden, according Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Prior to Thursday’s news, Philadelphia had been motivated throughout the offseason to bring the 10-time All-Star back to the City of Brotherly Love. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Monday that the 76ers had “focused largely their entire offseason on getting this deal done.”
“I think they’re willing to give him the pay increase up to at the max contract or near the max,” Windhorst said. “The question is years, and I don’t know if James Harden can walk away from a championship-level team if the Sixers are willing to give him a long-term contract. If they’re not, then I think you could see Houston come into play, but I think the Sixers are motivated to find middle ground here and I think they are confident that they can get it done.”
Instead, it appears that Philadelphia is standing its ground on not giving Harden a long-term deal, according to Charania. While the Clippers and Knicks have reportedly joined the Harden sweepstakes, it is likely that the Rockets will also increase their pursuit of the 2018 NBA MVP as Houston seeks to become a contender again in the Western Conference.
Harden, who turns 34 on Aug. 26, signed a two-year, $68.6 million deal with Philadelphia ahead of the 2022–23 season. Harden joined the 76ers in February 2022 after the Nets traded him and Paul Millsap to Philadelphia in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round selections.
Last season, Harden averaged 21 points and 10.7 assists per game.
