James Harden put in a lot of great odds on the basketball court. For his career, he averaged just under 25 points and 7 assists per game, while scoring nearly 2,600 three-pointers. He has played 10 consecutive games with the All-Stars and seven All-NBA teams; He is also a three-time scoring champion and winner of the 2017-18 Player of the Year award.
While those individual accolades are great, Harden has something else on his mind: an NBA championship. And he is willing to sacrifice money to make it happen.
Earlier during the free agency, Harden rejected his $47.3 million player option. It was believed that Harden would part with some money, but more than a week passed without news. Turns out Harden was taking his time. Shams Al Shaaraniya Sports and Stadium first mentioned Harden was accepting a $15 million salary cut so the Philadelphia 76ers could add some additional talent around him and Joel Embiid.
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Deal For two years and $67 million, per RealGM, with a second-year player option. Harden will make $32 million next season – still a good salary – but it’s about 32% less than he could have earned by pick in his previous contract.
The move has already paid dividends to the Sixers. With the extra cover space, the team was able to re-sign Danuel House while also hunting PJ Tucker of the Miami Heat. Make the enemy of the conference weaker while strengthening yourself in the process? This is a great step.
Harden came to Philadelphia last season in a successful deal with Ben Simmons. Old Harden’s Brooklyn Nets had been hoping Simmons would join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in time for the playoffs, but Simmons missed the entire season. The nets were swept away in the first round of playoffs, which had to feel good about Harden. Unfortunately, the Sixers didn’t perform much better, as they lost in the second round to the Heat.
Still, Harden senses the potential in Philadelphia. At 32, he’s willing to part with some future earnings in exchange for his first title.
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