After weeks of negotiation, All-Star guard James Harden has agreed to return to the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year deal worth $68.6 million, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Harden will have a player option for the second year.
Harden, who was traded to the Sixers ahead of the deadline last season in a blockbuster deal that sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets, declined his $47.3 million option for next season in order to hit free agency. His annual salary of around $34 million for this new deal represents a significant discount. He said he was willing to take it in order to help the team win.
“I had conversations with [team president] Daryl [Morey], and it was explained how we could get better and what the market value was for certain players. I told Daryl to improve the roster, sign who we needed to sign and give me whatever is left over,” Harden said in a recent interview with Yahoo Sports. “This is how bad I want to win. I want to compete for a championship. That’s all that matters to me at this stage. I’m willing to take less to put us in position to accomplish that.”
Free agent James Harden has agreed on a two-year, $68.6M deal, including a player option, to return to the 76ers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 20, 2022
Breaking: James Harden has agreed on a two-year, $68.6M deal to return to the 76ers, sources tell @wojespn.
The deal includes a player option in the second year. pic.twitter.com/JQBhNw22kl
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 20, 2022