James Harden, a former MVP and present-day All-Star, is facing an uncertain future in the NBA. Let’s look at the events that have unfolded and led us to this point.
- In February 2022, Harden forced a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons.
- In May 2022, the 76ers lost in the second round of the playoffs, with Harden scoring a career-low of 11 points in the series-ending game.
- In July 2022, Harden re-signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $68.6 million deal.
- In December 2022, rumors circulated that Harden might return to the Houston Rockets in the 2023 offseason.
- In May 2023, the 76ers blew a 3-2 lead to the Boston Celtics in the second round, with Harden struggling in the final games.
- In June 2023, Harden picked up his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season, expecting to be traded, ideally to the Los Angeles Clippers.
- In August 2023, Harden called 76ers’ President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey a liar after no trade materialized.
There are two perspectives on these events. Harden likely feels that he helped the 76ers by leaving money on the table for them to sign other players, but Morey has not rewarded his sacrifice with a long-term contract or a trade to a team that would be willing to pay him. On the other hand, the 76ers have seen Harden force his way off two teams in the past and contribute to their playoff disappointments. They are skeptical about his long-term value and are not willing to commit to him or give up valuable assets in a trade.
Throughout his career, Harden has been able to secure trades because of his on-court performance, despite concerns about his attitude and future decline. However, now he is being judged based on his expected future performance rather than his current abilities. Harden’s desire for a lucrative long-term contract has not materialized, and there are limited options for him in free agency. The teams with cap space are not showing interest in him, leaving his financial future uncertain.
The Clippers appear to be the best fit for Harden. They would likely be willing to offer him a significant contract next offseason and have the financial resources to do so. Additionally, the team wants to be competitive as they open a new arena in 2024. However, if a trade does not happen, Harden’s options become limited, and his best-case scenario may be accepting a mid-level exception contract or facing a decline in pay.
Despite the complications, there is a chance that Harden may consider playing in China, where he could still earn significant endorsement opportunities. However, returning to the NBA remains the more likely outcome for him.
