Controversy just seems to be following the Sixers every step of the way this offseason. On paper, they have made some very good moves, but the way they have gone about it has raised eyebrows around the league.
PJ Tucker was their most significant free agent acquisition, but that signing is likely to be investigated by the NBA for tampering, and now there are many within NBA circles who are suspicious as to how James Harden agreed to such a big pay cut. Insider Marc Stein stated that the feeling is that the two sides may have a wink-wink guarantee on a future deal.
“As covered previously in this cyberspace, there is a suspicion in some corners of the league that Harden had to have consented to this arrangement because he also secured a wink-wink guarantee about the future — meaning a promise from Morey that would allow Harden to recoup what he left on the table this offseason by declining the player option for next season in his new Sixers deal and then signing a whopper of a five-year deal in the summer of 2023 at almost 34,” writes Stein. “Such speculation is inevitable given how close Morey and Harden clearly are, but I’ve also heard plenty around the league question whether the Sixers, beyond the fact that these types of arrangements are against league rules, could actually bring themselves to give Harden any assurances.”
It is going to be a bit hard to prove something like this, but it is understandable that many within the NBA are suspicious about it. Harden opted out of his $47.4 million player option to take almost a $15 million pay cut for this season, as the first year of his new deal will net him $33 million.
Whatever the case may be, Harden taking a discount has helped the Sixers assemble what Zach Lowe believes is the best team of the Joel Embiid era since the Jimmy Butler days. It is now on them to get on the court and deliver the goods.
