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Well-traveled NBA star James Harden could soon be on the move again. The 33-year-old has been with the Philadelphia 76ers since landing with the squad from Brooklyn in a midseason trade during the 2021-22 campaign.
Harden averaged 21.0 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game this past season, his first full year with the Sixers. Along with NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Harden helped lead Philly to a 54-28 record during the regular season. However, the Sixers were ousted in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and parted ways with head coach Doc Rivers following the disappointment of the postseason.
The veteran guard left millions on the table in order to make a run at an NBA Championship when signing a two-year, $68 million deal with Philadelphia a year ago. That contract included a player option for the upcoming year, which Harden made a decision on this week. We'll discuss his decision and what that means for his future in the City of Brotherly Love.
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Is James Harden Leaving The Sixers?
Harden's future with the Sixers has been cloudy almost since he joined the team in the middle of the 2021-22 season. While the veteran posted All-Star caliber numbers this season, including a league-leading 10.7 assists per game, speculation has consistently swirled about his long-term outlook with the team. Those questions increased when Philadelphia again failed to reach the NBA Finals this year.
After sacrificing millions in a two-year contract he signed a year ago in an attempt to make a championship run, it appears that Harden's time in Philly is now nearing an end. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Harden is exercising his $35.6 million player option with the 76ers with the understanding that both sides will work together to explore trade options for the star guard. At the moment, it appears as though Harden might have played his last game as a member of the Sixers with Wojnarowski also reporting that the Clippers and Knicks are expected to be among the teams that will have serious interest in Harden.
BREAKING: 76ers G James Harden is picking up his $35.6 million option and sides are beginning to work together in exploring trade scenarios, sources tell ESPN. It’s expected that Harden has played his last game for Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/GguWgysfNZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2023
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