PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA - MAY 8: James Harden of Philadelphia 76ers and Max Strus of Miami Heat in action during NBA semifinals between Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States on May 8, 2 PHILADELPHIA - James Harden decided to grow his beard and shear his annual salary in Philadelphia.Harden signed a deal worth slightly over $68 million, paying him about $33 million this season with a $35 million player option for the 2023-24 season.
Harden, though, will make about $14.5 million less this coming season than he could have earned under his previous deal. Harden had a $47.4 million option for this coming season that he declined last month, saying he wanted to give the 76ers flexibility to improve their roster and compete for a championship."This is where I want to be.
This is where I want to win, and I think we have the pieces to accomplish that goal," Harden said Wednesday. "From my first day with the 76ers organization, the team and the fans have helped me feel at home here in Philadelphia.
I’m excited to build off of last season and I can’t wait to get out on the court with the guys and start this journey."Daryl Morey, team president of basketball operations, posted a photo on Instagram of him posing alongside Harden as the 10-time All-Star guard known as "The Beard" signed his contract."Now this looks like a job for we, " Morey wrote.Harden’s plans have been clear since Philadelphia’s season ended: He was committed to staying with the 76ers and committed to help them get better."Taking less money this year to sign as many players as we needed to help us contend and be the last team standing was very, very important to me," Harden said in an interview this.