James Harden Can Opt Out Of 76ers Deal After Season

James Harden‘s new two-year contract with the 76ers includes a player option after the first season, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.

Harden is due to earn $68.64M overall in the deal, Smith reported, or $33 million next season and $35.64 in 2023-24 should he pick up the option. The contract also includes a 15 percent trade kicker, Smith noted.

Either way, Harden will have the opportunity to decline his player option at the end of the season and re-enter free agency, perhaps signing a new deal with the 76ers. Obviously, much will depend on what develops this next season.

Harden was acquired from the Nets at the trade deadline as part of the Ben Simmons deal, then had a fairly uneven run with the 76ers. But Philadelphia is hopeful a full training camp will serve him and his teammates well.

“Philadelphia scored a whopping 120.3 points per 100 possessions when Harden was on the court during the regular season, per NBA.com,” noted Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report. “When he sat, that offensive rating dropped to 107.7.”

Harden, 32, averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 21 regular-season games with Philadelphia.

“I’ll be here,” he told reporters after the Sixers were eliminated by the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. “Whatever allows us to continue to grow and get better and do the things necessary to win and compete at a high level.”

Since the start of free agency, the 76ers have added P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr., and also acquired De’Anthony Melton in a draft night trade.

Harden, of course, has also spent time with the Thunder and Rockets, reaching the Finals just once — back in 2011 with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and OKC.