James Harden is reportedly expected to re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers on a short-term deal, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
Sources: Two weeks before free agency begins, James Harden is expected to re-sign with Philadelphia on a shorter-term deal.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 16, 2022
More notes on the Sixers, and from around the league @BR_NBA:https://t.co/k8Wt3Jt3AH
According to Fischer, the Sixers and Harden are aligned on the belief that the team’s best chance to win a title comes with Harden playing with Philly for the foreseeable future. However, the Sixers are reportedly hesitant to re-sign the 2018 MVP to a full four-year extension beyond his current 2022-23 option season or a five-year deal that Harden would be eligible for should he decide to decline his player option for next season.
Fischer reports that the best option for the Sixers and Harden would be for The Beard to opt into his player option and then sign a two-year extension that could give Harden better opportunities for the rest of his career.
Harden was traded to the 76ers as the trade deadline was closing in February. During his brief tenure with Philly, Harden has averaged 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 10.1 assists per game and has made it clear he would like to stay long-term and build a championship-level squad with the Sixers.
