James Harden Rumors: 76ers 'Determined' to Work Out New Contract in NBA Free Agency
The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly intent on signing veteran guard James Harden to a new contract in free agency.
Appearing Friday on SportsCenter, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski said the Sixers are "determined" to retain Harden, who has until June 29 to decide whether to pick up his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season.
Assuming Harden opts out and becomes a free agent, Wojnarowski reported that he and the 76ers are expected to negotiate, as he isn't likely to get a "traditional, full-max, long-term deal that he's been able to command throughout his career" from Philly.
Wojnarowski also said there has been "mutual interest" between Harden and one of his former teams in the Houston Rockets, but Houston currently has the most salary-cap space in the NBA and will have other options to explore in free agency.
The 33-year-old Harden spent parts of the past two seasons in Philadelphia after coming over in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
In his first full season with the Sixers in 2022-23, Harden started all 58 games he appeared in and led the NBA in assists per game with 10.7. He also averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals, while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range.
Harden was a key part of a talented core that also included NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris, but it wasn't enough to get the Sixers over the second-round hump in the playoffs.
The 76ers fell in the second round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and despite making six straight playoff appearances, they have not made it beyond the second round during that time.
While moving on from Harden would perhaps allow the 76ers to reshuffle the roster to some degree, they don't have the cap space needed to make an impact in free agency, and likely don't have the assets needed to make a big trade either.
Because of that, it would be nearly impossible for the Sixers to upgrade over Harden, meaning retaining him likely remains their best path to a championship.
Staying in Philadelphia looks like Harden's best chance to contend as well, especially since the Rockets are his other top option, and they are coming off three straight seasons of being one of the NBA's worst teams.
A 10-time All-Star, three-time scoring champion and one-time NBA MVP like Harden does figure to have a robust market if he hits free agency, but there may not be a better fit for both sides than Harden and the Sixers.
