James Harden is arguably at the lowest point of his career following the 76ers’ playoff exit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the hands of Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Harden dropped just 11 points in Game 6, an elimination game for the Sixers, a performance that was so poor that even the usually positive Magic Johnson called him out for his poor play.
This has put the Sixers and Daryl Morey into a bind, with Harden due to get a new contract in the following offseason. He has a player option for next season, that if he exercises, will pay him $47 million, but he is an unrestricted free agent after that. Considering that the team dealt away Ben Simmons in the deal that landed them Harden, the expectation was that they would give him a new max deal.
However, Harden is no longer the same player he was when he was part of the Houston Rockets. And tying up a long extension in a man that averaged his lowest totals in almost a decade since joining the team doesn’t seem like too good an idea. However, Patrick Beverley still has faith in Harden and he urged the Sixers to give the Beard whatever he wants on NBA Today.
“You gotta let him see it through. I believe you gotta let him see it through. As far as money-wise, give the boy whatever he’s asking for. Unfortunately, it might sound kind of crazy, but there’s no one in the league that can kind of do what he can do still. At this time right now. So you pay him.”
Daryl Morey has confirmed that Doc Rivers will be with the team next season, so with the benefit of a full offseason, maybe the Sixers can run it back next year and try to get Harden closer to what he looked like at his peak. He will likely be offered a new contract but how much money and for how many years remains to be seen.
