There's a chance James Harden will be a free agent this offseason.
The 10-time All-Star is entering the final season of his contract, but it's a player option worth $47.4 million. Will Harden turn it down to become an unrestricted free agent or will he pick it up to return to the 76ers?
In 21 games with the 76ers, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds. TSN's Steph Noh ranked him as the third-best player in this year's free-agent class.
"Harden certainly isn’t the player he was even three seasons ago. But he’s still easily a top 20 player in the league," writes Noh. "He had an up-and-down season where he struggled putting pressure on the rim but ... remains an offensive force and a foul-drawing machine."
The Sporting News has you covered below with updates on all Harden-related news and rumors.
MORE: When does free agency start in 2022?
James Harden free agency: Tracking the latest news, rumors, predictions
Harden declines player option
Date: June 29
Report: Harden has declined his $47.4 million player option, making him an unrestricted free agent. Charania adds that Harden intends to return "on a contract in free agency that gives the team financial flexibility to bolster the roster."
Source: Shams Charania, The Athletic
Harden could decline player option and re-sign
Date: June 27
Report: Instead of opting in to his player option and signing an extension, Harden could decline his player option and sign a three-year deal at a lower starting number. That would give the 76ers more financial flexibility in free agency to pursue P.J. Tucker. There's a "growing belief" the 76ers will lure Tucker away from the Heat with a three-year contract in the $30 million range.
Source: Marc Stein, Substack
76ers committed to Harden
Date: June 24
Report: While Harden "almost assuredly" is not going to get a full five-year max extension, the 76ers are still expected to make a "very significant" shorter-term commitment.
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Harden expected to return on shorter-term deal
Date: June 16
Report: "All signs point toward" Harden returning to the 76ers, only on a short-term extension. With Philadelphia "resistant" to the idea of giving Harden a four-year extension or five-year deal, picking up his player option and signing a two-year extension seems increasingly likely.
Source: Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report
