James Harden Opts Out and Now We Wait...

James Harden declined his player option and will negotiate a new deal that will give the Sixers flexibility this season:

ESPN Sources: 76ers star James Harden has declined his $47.3M option and become a free agent. He keeps real the possibility of negotiating a new deal that would deliver the Sixers roster-building flexibility in free agency – including use of the full $10.5M exception.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

I’ll give credit where credit is due:

James Harden could’ve easily told the Sixers to kick rocks, and then take his ball and his $47 million to Delilahs. He didn’t so he deserves some praise there. BUT Shams or whoever leaked this can fuck off if you think I’m actually going to believe James Harden is working out harder than he ever has before:

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

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

I’ve seen this movie. I get excited for the next 10 months. Buy back into this team and we lose in the second round. They need to make the Eastern Conference Finals for me to actually take them seriously. Before that I’ll treat them like the dog that just shit on the carpet.

**Unless Harden comes back looking like Jalen Hurts in OTAs and they somehow flip Tobias’ contract and sign Bradley Beal. Than all bets are off and you can’t call me names or anything because at that point all I’m being is an irrational sports fan.