James Harden Takes $15 Million Pay Cut for Championship Run

Posted on by Nafiz Labib

James Harden has decided to opt out of his player option with the Philadelphia Sixers and will resign for a two-year deal with a player option in the second year, taking a $15 million pay cut that will help the Sixers free more cap space and sign players that will help in the effort for a championship run, per NBA insider Shams Charania.

Using the money that Harden declined, the Sixers were able to sign Miami Heat forward PJ Tucker and Utah Jazz forward Danuel House, both of whom Harden has played with on the Rockets and most likely feels more comfortable playing with.

Harden had earlier reported that he wanted to take less money to help the franchise navigate free agency and hopefully sign players that would help the championship run. He did decline his player option, but details were not exact until recently. Harden went from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets back in 2021 to join the superstar duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in hopes of winning a championship.

Credit: New York Post

However, their plans didn’t go as expected, as the trio only played 16 games together because of complications like Kyrie unable to play due to entering health protocols and various injuries between the three players. Harden himself would later get traded in early 2022 to join All-Star Joel Embiid for a chance at the 2022 championship but later fell short to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

When the Sixers lost to the Heat in May, Harden claimed, “I’ll be here … whatever allows this team to grow and get better and do the necessary things to win and compete at the highest level.”

With Harden’s pay cut, the Sixers actually have a few million dollars left after paying Harden and Signing Tucker and House. This could be used to help sign another player or leverage in a trade for role players. Either way, Harden’s “selfless” decision to opt out of his contract and take a $15 million pay cut may very well help him get his coveted championship.

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