2023-05-18 14:08:00
While he can test the market this summer, James Harden seems to have set his priorities for the offseason: a long-term contract and the possibility of winning. The Sixers have reason to believe it.
Where will James Harden play this fall? Today, it is impossible to say with certainty. On the other hand, we are starting to know a little more regarding the Free Agency 2023 of the beard. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, the guard would intend not to activate his player option in order to test the market. The goal? Recover a deal over several years, if possible four, and within a team that will play to win and that will not ask him to change his style of play.
B/R Sources: James Harden to decline player option to seek 4-year deal, Ty Lue’s reps met with Clippers to discuss future, Suns likely to guarantee Chris Paul’s contract & Portland expected to make No. 3 pick available. Details inside.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 17, 2023
At almost 34 years old (he will be in August), James Harden knows that this is undoubtedly the last real big contract of his career. Last summer, he had made financial sacrifices to help Philly but this time the best passer in the League wants to be paid properly. That’s good, the crop of free agents this summer isn’t crazy, which can help drive up prices. It remains to be seen who will be ready to extend the tickets and for how long. A four-year deal would mean a bearded man who weighs heavily on finances until he is 38 years old and as Chris Paul has seen recently, the form can quickly turn over the years.
Which teams are chasing Harden this summer?
For a few months now, the Houston rumor has been in full swing. Former Rockets star and MVP under their tunic in 2018, Ramesse would be keen on the idea of making a triumphant return to Texas. Still, Houston doesn’t quite fit the criteria listed by Haynes above. The franchise will certainly have the financial capacity to offer a big contract to Harden but the Rockets seem a little light to aim for the title, even with Harden at the controls of the boat. To bring the beard back to the land of the cowboys, it may be necessary to mount a few exchanges to show a more competitive face next season.
And if James Harden didn’t come back to Houston, where would he go? And why stay in Philadelphia? Despite a not-so-pretty end to the Playoffs, the marriage between Sixers and Harden was rather a success. His agreement with Joel Embiid is good, the duo did a solid job together, at least in the regular season at least. On the Philly side, things are clear, keeping Harden on the roster is a priority. The latter did not seem keen on the idea of continuing to play under the orders of Doc Rivers. Good news for the beard: the coach has been fired.
Philly ticks all the boxes for Harden. Style of play, multi-year contract and competitiveness. Still, this extension also involves risks for the organization. As good as Harden is, the franchise hasn’t turned a corner since his arrival. For the second consecutive year (with the guard in the team), the Sixers said goodbye to the Playoffs from the second round. Despite everything, keeping Harden seems to be the best choice and especially the only good choice.
To lose him once morest nothing is to weigh down the chances of victory for Philly, who will be unable to replace him this summer, whether by financial limit or just by lack of options on the market. And we imagine that Joel Embiid will not be delighted if that happens. You might as well continue the adventure a little longer, it will always be possible to adjust later if the hoped-for progress does not arrive.
Source texte : Chris Haynes
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