‘He’s doing it to possibly win the NBA Championship’ – Fans praise James Harden for accepting $15 million pay cut to stay with Philadelphia 76ers

A two-year deal with a player option for the second season has allegedly been reached between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden is reportedly forgoing a $15 million salary cut for the 2022–2023 season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Even though Harden turned down his $47.4 million player option on Wednesday, the decision is not unexpected. According to the reports at the time, the seasoned point guard made this decision to provide the Sixers more room under the salary ceiling and possibilities for bolstering the squad through free agency.

Image Credits – Sky Sports

There has never been any doubt that James Harden will return to Philadelphia for the 2022–23 season since free agency opened. Nobody with cap space was a viable candidate for Harden. If he left, there was nothing the Sixers could do to replace the all-star shooting guard.

Additionally, Harden and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey both firmly said on the record that Harden will return to Philadelphia for the upcoming season. Harden even posted a video of himself working out with Tyrese Maxey and Sixers assistant coach Sam Cassell on social media just last week.

This week, it paid off. Philadelphia was able to sign free agent P.J. Tucker and re-sign Daniel House Jr. because of Harden’s pay cut. Tucker, who relocated from Miami, reportedly signed a three-year, $33.2 million contract that was completely guaranteed. Apparently worth $8.5 million over two years is House’s contract.

The trades also give the 76ers a familiar appearance because Harden, Tucker, and House were teammates in Houston from 2017 to 20; at the same time, current 76ers president Daryl Morey was the Rocket’s general manager.

According to Charania, one of the key factors in building trust between the two sides during negotiations was Harden’s close relationships with important members of the Sixers organization, including minority owner Michael Rubin and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey (who is selling his stake in the team but is expected to remain involved).

The one-plus-one arrangement will allow Harden the ability to opt-out and sign a new maximum-salary contract next summer. It is contrary to the perception that he would be rewarded with a long-term contract that would provide him more total guaranteed money if he declined his option. Additionally, it will give him the ability to reject any trades made in the league year 2022–2023.

NBA fans react as James Harden accepts pay cut to stay in Philly

“James Harden literally had a $47 million player option lol. You can laugh at the agent speak about his workout regiment all you want, but he undoubtedly ended up making a substantial sacrifice”, one fan reacted on Twitter. Another fan tweeted, “Trying to think of professional athletes who have restructured their contracts to better their team & can only think of 2… Tom Brady & James Harden. Declining your player option to take $15 million LESS to help your team get better is truly incredible. GOAT shit”

 

Here are more reactions from the NBA World towards Harden’s new two-year deal:

 

 

 

 

 

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