Reports: James Harden agrees to deal as 76ers explore trade options

James Harden has reportedly opted into the final year of his contract.

James Harden picked up his $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Philadelphia 76ers, and the franchise is exploring trades to move the veteran scorer, according to multiple reports.

Harden announced his choice to the 76ers on Thursday before the midnight deadline to pick up the option, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision was not made public.

The 33-year-old Harden could have declined the option and decided to attempt free agency. The Sixers had the right to offer him a four-year contract worth $210 million, a total of $8 million more than any other team.

But a person who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Thursday said it was not certain Harden would be traded, but the player known as The Beard expressed a desire to win a championship he has yet to achieve in his career in Philadelphia or with another contender.

According to ESPN’s Adrian WojnarowskiThe LA Clippers and New York Knicks are among the teams expected to show interest in landing Harden.

ESPN’s story on James Harden opting out of his $35.6 million contract, clearing the way for a trade from Philadelphia: https://t.co/JxIFXQ2hfr

– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2023

James Harden, 76ers begin working on trade Philadelphia – The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to emerge as a team interested in Harden, league sources say.

Details at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/FLYnbWVHj9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2023

Nick Nurse, who was hired last month as Philadelphia’s coach, was surprised by Hardens’ return. So did teammate Tobias Harris.

“James has to make a decision and I would be very happy if he came back,” the nurse said this month.

But it looks like it’s another option behind NBA MVP Joel Embiid and chasing a championship in Philly is no longer on the table.

If Harden’s trade goes through, it would be his third trade since requesting a trade from the Houston Rockets in February 2021. According to Wojnarowski, Harden was interested in meeting with the Rockets this summer, but they are focused on pursuing the Toronto Raptors point guard. Fred VanVleet.

Harden led the NBA in assists last season with 10.7 per game, but his wildly erratic offense frustrated Sixers fans and helped them ruin an Eastern Conference second-round loss to Boston.

Harden, acquired during the 2022 trade from Brooklyn for Ben Simmons, scored 45 points in Game 1 and 42 in Game 4 against the Celtics. Harden, who turns 34 in August, was 0-6 on 3s in Game 2 and Game 6 losses. He scored just nine points in Game 7 and was held scoreless in the second half.

Harden developed into a lovable superstar in Houston, but has largely been replaced by the Sixers’ NBA MVP Joel Embiid. The Sixers and the team president could be in a bind if they don’t re-sign Harden. The Sixers have limited salary cap space, making signing a quality free agent all but impossible, especially one with Hardens’ pedigree.

So now they want to get the property in a deal to be a common factor in Hardens career. If Harden is traded under NBA rules, he would have to play out his 2023-24 contract and would be eligible for free agency through next season.

Harden is a 10-time All-Star, but mostly forced his way through trades from Houston and Brooklyn. Harden declined his $47.4 million player option with the 76ers last season and instead agreed to a two-year deal that will pay him $32 million in 2022-23. It included a player option for this upcoming season. He opted out of his old deal before last season to stay with the 76ers and made about $14.5 million less last season than he could have made under his previous deal.

The seven-time All-NBA player is part of the league’s 75th anniversary team.

This report uses information from the Associated Press.