James Harden will re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year cope with a participant possibility within the second season, in keeping with Shams Charnia. The deal represents a $15 million pay minimize from the $47.three million max wage he might have earned on his participant possibility for this season. Harden arrived in Philadelphia on the commerce deadline final season in a blockbuster cope with the Brooklyn Nets for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and draft picks.

Whereas his stint in Philadelphia began off nicely, the season resulted in extraordinarily disappointing vogue for the previous MVP. His burst seemingly left him after coping with accidents and poor conditioning in Brooklyn, and within the workforce’s season-ending loss to the Miami Warmth, Harden tried simply two pictures within the second half because the 76ers had been eradicated on their dwelling flooring. Contemplating his age (33 in August), many speculated that Harden now not even warranted a major contract. 

He is nonetheless getting one, however the pay minimize he’s taking will enable the 76ers the pliability they should signal former Rockets teammate P.J. Tucker for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception and Danuel Home Jr. for the bi-annual exception. Many gamers discuss a giant sport about sacrificing cash for successful. Harden is definitely doing it right here.

In fact, he is additionally incomes an additional 12 months of economic safety with that participant possibility. Each the Nets and Rockets provided Harden long-term extensions, however he declined on each fronts. That allowed him to make his option to the 76ers, and together with his worth declining, taking a multi-year deal even at a slight low cost mitigated a number of the threat of additional decline.

The 76ers hope that Harden can stave that decline off a short time longer. With Tucker and Home becoming a member of a workforce that already had MVP candidate Joel Embiid, breakout star Tyrese Maxey and incumbent max participant Tobias Harris, a wholesome and engaged Harden might nonetheless carry them deep into the playoffs. The 76ers have a quick title window in entrance of them. Harden’s deal helps them maximize it.