James Harden has decided on his future and is making a huge decision!

After long weeks of speculation, James Harden has decided on his future. The Barbu’s decision is strong, and could have a big impact on what will happen in the Eastern Conference during the 2022-2023 season…

The question has been in the air for many months: James Harden was he going to activate his wonderful option or not? Was he going to leave Philadelphia? Was he going to stay on a lighter contract? The answer came this Wednesday evening by Shams Charania:

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden is declining his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season and intends to return on a contract in free agency that gives the team financial flexibility to bolster the roster, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

Sixers star James Harden is declining his $47.4 million option for the 2022-23 season. He intends to stay in Philadelphia with a contract that will give the franchise financial flexibility to improve the roster.

Charania adds in a following tweet that James Harden has only one goal: to win a title with the Sixers next year. The insider adds that the Bearded man has resumed training and a healthy lifestyle much earlier than he usually does, a sign of the enormous motivation that inhabits him for this 2022-2023 campaign.

Unlike Kyrie Irving, who activated his option, Harden therefore chose to sacrifice himself financially for the good of Philadelphia. A decision that will delight GM Daryl Morey, who will now have to find the right assets to surround the former MVP and Joel Embiid in the quest for the title.

For James Harden, it’s the ring and the team above all. The Bearded therefore says goodbye to the big contracts that he has been monopolizing for several years, and will make himself small on the salary sheet in order to help the Sixers. A very nice gesture.