Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden will not activate his $47 million option for another season to allow the club, where he is expected to stay, to strengthen its workforce, US media reported on Wednesday.
Harden, who joined the team in February from the Brooklyn Nets, would be willing to take less pay than he could demand, according to press reports, as the Sixers seek to surround him and the other star Joel Embiid, new talents. The Philadelphia Inquirer announces the possible arrival of PJ Tucker, who played with Harden in Houston, when the current president of Philadelphia, Daryl Morey, was general manager there.
Harden, 32, spent more than eight seasons in Houston before forcing a trade with the Nets in January 2021. Last season, marked by his trade from Brooklyn for Ben Simmons and Seth Curry, he averaged 22 points and 10.3 assists in 65 games with the Nets and then the 76ers.
The stars Harden and Embiid, however, did not allow Philadelphia to pass the second round of the play-offs. After the elimination against Miami, Harden said he wanted to stay in Philadelphia and do whatever he could to help the team get stronger.
As the NBA’s deadline for options has passed, Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has also given up his option, more than $36 million, according to ESPN, to be free to commit where he wants. wanna. The Wizards can still re-sign him for a maximum of five years. A period of negotiations begins Thursday for the free players.
Before the deal opened, the Atlanta Hawks reportedly acquired Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for veteran Danilo Gallinari and three future first-round draft picks. Murray, 25, averaged 21.1 points per game, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists last season.
A versatile defender, Murray will complement explosive scorer Trae Young as the Hawks look to recapture the magic that lifted them to the Eastern Conference Finals two seasons ago before losing the first turn against Miami this season.
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