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NBA analyst Tim Legler has opened up on James Harden’s decision to re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to sources from The Athletic, Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden has decided to decline his $47.4 million player option for the 2022–23 season to sign a free-agent deal with the organization that would allow them the financial freedom to improve the roster.
Harden made a choice recently and made it plain to 76ers executives what he wanted to accomplish: winning a championship in Philadelphia the following year. The 76ers will have the opportunity to make genuine improvements to their squad for the upcoming season starting Thursday night when the free-agent period begins due to Harden choosing to opt out and accepting less money.
76ers president Daryl Morey now has the flexibility to offer free agents the $10.5 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception without making any other moves. In contrast, Morey would have had difficulty doing so had he traded players with guaranteed contracts. Harden’s salary was previously set at $47.4 million.
The 76ers proceeded to the Eastern Conference playoffs before losing a series to the Miami Heat after acquiring Harden in a sensational trade deadline transaction with the Brooklyn Nets. Joel Embiid, a potential MVP and Harden’s co-star missed the opening two games of the 76ers’ six-game loss to the Heat. In the 2021–22 season, Harden, 32, averaged 22 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. He recently made his 10th All-Star squad in 13 seasons.
“Harden slacked off during the 2022 NBA post-season; hence justifying a supermax contract would have been complicated. Taking a pay cut helped fans regain trust in the former MVP and showcased his efforts to win.” said NBA analyst Tim Legler.
Harden’s averages dropped to 18.6 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in the 12 postseason games. The 76ers and Harden’s camp are confident that the seven-time All-NBA player will have a healthy offseason before the 2022–23 season. Due to the bubble season, the NBA’s offseason in 2020 had a shorter summer. While playing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain in Brooklyn’s seven-game second-round series against Milwaukee last year, Harden was dealing with the injury.
Legler then added, “In order to give the Sixers flexibility to do so, Harden declined his nearly $50 million player option. When free agency kicked off last Thursday, the Sixers inked several new prospects, including P.J. Tucker, Danuel House, and Trevelin Queen.”
This offseason, according to many sources, Harden returned to his exercise and on-court routine far sooner than expected. As the summer wears on, he has reportedly improved his fitness and training. Typically players take some time off before beginning their offseason regimen, but on May 12, two weeks after the season concluded, Harden returned to his workouts. Sam Cassell, a 76ers assistant, reportedly spent much time managing Harden’s routine this summer.
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