NBA rumors: Lakers + D-Lo fate, LeBron retirement, Sixers plan for Harden, more

Sixers unmotivated to give James Harden max contract

While James Harden technically has a $35.6 million player option he could exercise for next year, don’t expect that to play. Harden will almost certainly opt out and negotiate a longer deal with the Sixers or elsewhere.

So far, it’s looking like the field is more likely.

Here’s what Brian Windhorst reported about Harden and the Sixers on Pardon the Interruption, hat tip to B/R.

"“The 76ers have not shown an appetite to pay Harden the max; that’s why they asked him to take a pay cut last year,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Wednesday’s Pardon The Interruption. “… The Sixers are not really motivated to pay him that max salary if they don’t think anybody else is going to do it.”"

This adds to growing speculation that Harden could make his way back to the Houston Rockets (though check that, too) who would presumably be more inclined to give Harden a max deal. There’s at least one of the other 29 teams out there that will probably give Harden what he wants, so his future in Philadelphia ostensibly will only continue if he truly loves playing in Philly and wants to stay for non-financial reasons.

There is rampant speculation that Joel Embiid could force a trade after yet another failed year in Philadelphia.