James Harden to opt out; Top 5 free agency destinations
PHILADELPHIA (BVM) – Although it has been just days since the Philadelphia 76ers’ season ended in a blowout Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, a lot has already changed for the franchise.
That began with news from earlier this week that the Sixers had fired head coach Doc Rivers. Now, according to a report from Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, veteran guard James Harden intends to decline his $35.6 million player option for 2023-24, and will be seeking a four-year contract as he looks to cash in on what could ultimately be one of his last big paydays in the NBA.
Haynes also noted that Harden “will only entertain suitors that present a competitive roster and the basketball freedom for the star to be himself.”
The writing was on the wall that the 33-year-old guard would go the free agent route, particularly as he took a pay cut last year to allow the Sixers to surround he and Joel Embiid with more talent. That ultimately didn’t work out, as Philadelphia fell in the conference semifinals for the fourth consecutive year, but Harden still put up a productive campaign for a team that went 54-28 during the regular season, averaging 21 points, a league-best 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 38.5% from 3-point range.
It’s clear Harden still has something left in the tank, and where he chooses to go next will be one of the biggest NBA offseason storylines. Here are five teams Harden could be playing for in 2023-24.
