James Harden Declines $47.3M Option, Becomes Free Agent

It's been a hotly debated topic ever since the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs: what will a James Harden contract look like for 2022-23?

One thing we now know for sure, is it won't be worth $47M.

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

Harden has officially declined his option and becomes a free agent. As Woj notes, the move is seen as a means of the Sixers retaining some roster-building flexibility.

ESPN cap expert Bobby Marks says Harden will sign a lower-dollar deal, giving Philly some room below the cap.

The sweet spot on a new Harden contract starts in the $37-38M range for this season.

That would give Philadelphia room below the $157M hard cap to use the $10.5M midlevel and $4.1M biannual exception.

Ex: 4 years/$166M with $10M guaranteed in year 4 for the salary he gave back. https://t.co/Y5oLnsk0Fl
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2022