76ers Rumors: James Harden Agrees to 2-Year Contract with Option, Takes $15M Pay Cut

The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with James Harden.

Harden will take a pay cut for the 2022-23 season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Even after Harden declined his player option, the move was not a surprise. The veteran point guard gave the 76ers more salary-cap space and the option to improve their roster in free agency, according to the reports at the time.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

Harden’s sole focus: Win a title in Philadelphia next season. Harden returned to his workout and on-court regimen much sooner than usual this offseason, pouring his full focus on 2022-23 and a championship run. https://t.co/8muicTaJx6

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

The opt-out could go a long way in reshaping the Sixers’ bench, including that full mid-level exception, $4.1M bi-annual exception and sign-and-trades.

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr.

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Harden in a February trade with the Brooklyn Nets and he averaged 21 points, 10 assists and 7.1 boards in 21 games.

There are concerns about Harden's waning burst and a reluctance to aggressively seek his own shot in Philly, but he formed a natural pick-and-roll partnership with Embiid.

The Philadelphia 76ers scored a whopping 120.3 points per 100 possessions when Harden was on the court. He had an offensive rating of 108.7 when he was sitting.

The continued emergence of combo guard Tyrese Maxey gives the 76ers another key piece to build around.

Harden was always going to stay in Philly.

The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. We can continue to grow and get better and do the things necessary to win and compete at a high level.

The only thing left to do is win the title.