James Harden and Philly Struck a Two-Year $68.6 Million Deal

James Harden has extended his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. The former MVP and the franchise from Pennsylvania signed a two-year deal worth $68.6 million. This news was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski, one of the best-informed NBA insiders.

He also added that the deal includes a player option, meaning that Harden got the compensation for not signing a longer contract, which was one of the initial conditions. He can go back to the free agency after the upcoming campaign and negotiate another, better deal.

The Beard declined a $47.4 million player option for the upcoming season, giving the Sixers a much-needed cap space to make certain deals, including PJ Tucker and Danuel House. The first is on a full mid-level, while the second is on a bi-annual exception. It seems that Harden put the team in front of his financial needs, and he really wants the best possible team to chase the title with.

Free agent James Harden has agreed on a two-year, $68.6M deal, including a player option, to return to the 76ers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 20, 2022

In 2023, Harden will make $33 million, while in the year after, he is set to earn $35.6 million, that is, if he decides to opt in.

There were many speculations about his next move and the future with the 76ers. Some suggested that the Bear will stay and use the player option. Others claimed that he wants a max contract and that if the Sixers aren’t willing to offer it, which provoked Harden to ask for a trade.

In the end, a very small percentage of the fans guessed the final outcome of this saga. It is the best possible for the Sixers’ fans and the organization.

Philly is one of the biggest favorites for the title this year, and they have been since Harden landed at Wells Fargo Arena. They finished the previous campaign with 51 wins and 31 losses, finishing second in the Atlantic division and fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Embiid and Harden faced the Toronto Raptors in the opening round of the playoffs, eliminating the former champions from Canada in six games, and after that, suffered an elimination against the Miami Heat in six games, having one very tough experience with the division rivals.

Harden will make $33M for the 2022-2023 season, and has the player option for $35.6M in 2023-2024, sources tell ESPN. He can move right back into free agency next summer and negotiate another new deal. https://t.co/9UM0LArYzH

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 20, 2022

Harden came to the City of Brotherly Love on February 10, once Philly and the Brooklyn Nets executed a trade. The Nets sent Harden and Paul Millsap, getting Ben Simmons, Seth Cury, and Andre Drummond, plus two first-round picks.

He played 21 games for Philadelphia, spending 37.7 minutes on the floor and scoring 21 points with 10.5 dimes and 7.1 boards with 1.2 steals. Yet, he wasn’t as impressive on the offensive side as in the past. Many blame him for the exit against the Heat, claiming that Harden underachieved throughout the majority of the series.

The 32-year-old shooting guard is one of the best players in the last couple of decades and for sure one of the best scorers in the history of the game.

He was the third overall pick at the 2009 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he spent three years before moving to the Houston Rockers. Harden went on to become the NBA MVP in 2018 and a 10-time All-Star with 11 All-NBA team selections. He was the three-time scoring champion, all in a row between 2018 and 2020.