Why James Harden's team-friendly two-year contract

Although James Harden's contract talks with the Philadelphia 76ers are taking longer than anticipated, a conclusion may be reached shortly.

[{"selector":"#anim-ebe831dc-d242-4736-8250-167bf209c9ff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] James Harden was questioned straightforwardly by a reporter only moments after the Philadelphia 76ers were defeated by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals:

[{"selector":"#anim-256d7f6a-c2d8-4e2a-b00a-4aabcb82f460 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(20.000000056171984%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Should a potential free agent accept a temporary salary reduction to aid the Sixers in completing the roster around Harden and MVP runner-up Joel Embiid?

[{"selector":"#anim-21455441-6354-41ca-982f-6cf5090e90df [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(11.000000030894588%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Although Harden's remarks at the time were promising, many people doubted that he would truly carry them through.

[{"selector":"#anim-d5cc10e1-e296-48ab-81db-8c2f3d14fd07 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.7142857191004595%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] But as we now know, Harden kept his promise and declined the $47 million player option he had for the 2022–23 campaign.

[{"selector":"#anim-111463bc-a8c1-461d-9694-0b9d5baf2f99 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(6.714285733143452%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] "I'm coming over. I'll do everything it takes to advance our group and put us on par with the very best of them. We want to take home a title. That is the aim.

[{"selector":"#anim-8fa30d74-7b1e-428a-a6bb-da1bbb7d3737 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-9.071428596906578%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Everyone close to Harden is aware of his commitment to his offseason fitness routine and his desire to win a championship in 2022–2033, according to Charania. His close friendships

[{"selector":"#anim-631fbffc-1219-4b69-81ec-0f70e0b6b4e7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(9.857142884827619%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] In 21 regular-season games with the 76ers, who lost to the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs to conclude their season, he averaged 21.0 points and 10.5 assists.

[{"selector":"#anim-5088f16b-e3b9-4e83-b23b-a0f3c890f6df [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] NBA backcourt to beat? This is what it looks like when James Harden and Tyrese Maxey are in the gym together. Keep those posters of Kevin Durant for another time.