To facilitate the recruitment of the Sixers, James Harden decided to take less than the amount he was eligible for for this 2022 free agency.
A choice including the man with 60 million dollars over 6 years in 2003 (the salary cap 2002-03 was 40 million dollars), Gilbert Arenasis indignant:
“I didn’t take a pay cut for the team to win. I accepted a pay cut for the players around me. For Antawn Jamison, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler… It wasn’t to win a title […] Don’t take a pay cut to win, it’s not your job! You’re a millionaire taking a pay cut for a billionaire. Don’t you want to become a billionaire? Let’s say the owner makes $60 million a year with his team. The only reason you’re taking a pay cut is because he wants to keep his 60 million. No no man! Take it in your pocket and sign the check. »