Sixers

James Harden Will Reportedly Exercise His Player Option for Next Season

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 10th, 2022 · 3:03 PM EST

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From Shams:

As part of deal, new 76ers star James Harden is opting into his $47.3 million player option on contract for next season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2022

Harden could have waived that option to become a free agent at the end of this season.

What happens here is that Bird rights carry over, so Harden would have been able to sign for five-years and $269 million if he opted out. Instead, he’s basically guaranteeing he gets his $47 million next year and then can sign four years around $223 million, so by doing what he’s doing he’s earning a little bit more money.

Couple of explainers here:

These are Harden’s contract options (except the “re-signs with BKN” column is now “re-signs with PHI).

He’s going to make more money by picking up his option + signing an extension than he would by becoming a free agent. pic.twitter.com/bz8BgKIxEh

— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) February 10, 2022

"In three years … we're going to be talking about James Harden like we're talking about Russell Westbrook and John Wall from a contract standpoint. That contract will be the worst contract in NBA history."

—@BobbyMarks42 pic.twitter.com/5kxHEVpw2G

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 10, 2022