James Harden Explains Why He Accepted An Option With The Sixers Rather Than Hitting Free Agency

Following the Philadelphia 76ers’ series loss in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, all eyes were on James Harden as his future with the Sixers was in jeopardy. During the 2022 summer, Harden re-signed with the Sixers on a two-year deal. The second season of the contract included a player option for more than $35 million. Many expected Harden to refuse the option, enter the free agency market, and seek the most significant contract possible.

All signs pointed to Harden opting for a new contract with the Sixers or reuniting with the Houston Rockets via free agency. In the days leading up to free agency, it became evident that Harden’s odds of returning to Houston were slim. Harden admits to meeting with Houston’s first-year head coach, Ime Udoka, during the offseason, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Harden expressed his skepticism about the issue at the time, citing the fact that dates weren’t always synchronized.

When a reunion with Houston appeared to be out of the question, Harden shocked the NBA by exercising his player option before demanding a trade. Given that the ten-time All-Star considered returning to the Sixers before picking up his option, many questioned why Harden chose to stay rather than hit the open market and choose his next destination.

This week, he stated why he made that decision. “It would have looked different for sure,” Harden said of his free agency market to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. “I’m sure it would have looked different. The teams that are growing, or young, were gonna have the money, but it doesn’t make sense. And then the competitive teams don’t have the money. Overall, I would have probably ended myself staring Philly in the face again. So it was strategic…”

It wasn’t a secret that Harden wasn’t generating a lot of buzz throughout the offseason. The Los Angeles Clippers were the only serious suitors when he was available for trade. Because teams were fully aware of Harden’s deal expectations, teams would have been hesitant to spend big on the 34-year-old guard, who has had injury problems in recent seasons.

Harden’s prospects of obtaining a first-year contract inside the range of his player option with the 76ers were slim. As a result, Harden secured the funds ahead of his deadline and was concerned about sorting out the remainder later. While Harden believes he was initially told his trade request would be honored within a ten-day span, the Sixers didn’t reach an agreement until months later, when the Clippers were eventually willing to meet Philadelphia’s trade demands.

The fact that the tale took far longer than expected was not good for either party. For some on the outside looking in, it was unclear why Harden re-joined the Sixers just to request a trade when he could have simply opted out and gone anyplace he wanted.

His move was, predictably, strategic. In the end, everything went as planned. While playing with the Clippers, Harden receives his desired salary for the season. What happens next is no longer a mystery in Harden’s story.