Report: James Harden opting into 76ers $35.6 million option to set stage for trade

James Harden opted into his player option with the Philadelphia 76ers and the team plans to work on a trade, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

“BREAKING: 76ers G James Harden is picking up his $35.6 million option and sides are beginning to work together in exploring trade scenarios, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski wrote on Twitter. “It’s expected that Harden has played his last game for Philadelphia.”

Harden joined the Sixers in the middle of the 2021-22 season in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. However, the relationship appears to be over after a season-plus.

According to Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks are expected to be among the teams that’ll engage in a potential trade.

Philadelphia lost a 3-2 lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, once again failing to advance past the second round in the playoffs.

Harden was criticized for most of his postseason play as the Sixers evaluated their future with a core surrounding franchise player Joel Embiid.

The Sixers also fired head coach Doc Rivers and hired former NBA Finals winning coach Nick Nurse this offseason.

It appears drastic changes are coming for Harden and Philadelphia.

Over the course of Harden’s career, he played with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Nets and 76ers. He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Arizona State by the Thunder.

Harden made the NBA Finals just once in his career, with Oklahoma City that featured a big three with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, the Thunder lost to the Miami Heat.

In 1,000 career games, Harden has a career average of 24.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, seven assists per game, a 44.2% field goal percentage and a 36.3% three-point percentage.

The Sixers acquired Harden in 2022 in a massive deal that former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and draft capital to Brooklyn. Harden’s recent “big three” with Durant and Kyrie Irving with the Nets was seen as a massive failure.

Wherever Harden goes next, he’ll be a fascinating watch. He previously expressed desire to return to Houston, according to Wojnarowski.