PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 08: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Heat 116-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

James Harden Contract Negotiations in 'Good Place,' 76ers' Daryl Morey Says

Paul KasabianJul 9, 2022

Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey expressed optimism that a deal with free-agent guard James Harden will be done soon per a conversation with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports on Saturday.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported on June 29 that Harden planned to decline his $47.4 million 2022-23 player option and re-sign with the 76ers in free agency on a lesser deal to give the 76ers more financial flexibility to improve the team.

TOP NEWS

Charania then reported on Friday that Harden planned to take a $15 million pay cut for 2022-23 en route to signing a two-year deal with a player option for 2023-24.

The 76ers acquired Harden in a trade-deadline deal on Feb. 10 with the Brooklyn Nets that notably sent Ben Simmons the other way.

He averaged 21.0 points and 10.5 assists in 21 regular-season games for the 76ers, who ended their season with a second-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat.

Philadelphia has already started making moves this offseason by signing P.J. Tucker and Danuel House in free agency.

Bringing Harden back seems like a formality at this point as MVP runner-up Joel Embiid looks to lead Philadelphia back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2001.