With 24 Hours Left to Make the $35,640,000 Decision, James Harden Gets Stern “Dry?Up”?Warning

The Philadelphia 76ers have been going through massive changes. After the Ben Simmons saga, the team finally had a core of James Harden and Joel Embiid to build around. However, it wasn’t to be as the team has ended the past two seasons in a disappointing fashion. First, Joel Embiid’s injury and Miami’s suffocating defense caused the Sixers to flame out in the second round. Last year, after a dominant regular season from Joel Embiid which saw him win MVP, the Celtics outmatched Philly, en route to another second-round exit.

Now, after outrageous demands for forward Tobias Harris, the front office has another star to worry about.

James Harden has a hard choice to make

Last season, Harden took a significant pay cut to help the team improve their roster. Giving up about $15 million to allocate elsewhere, James took a 2-year deal with a player option worth $35,640,000.

However, the plans didn’t fully work out. Even though the Sixers acquired Danuel House and P.J. Tucker, the rewards weren’t there. Now, Harden enters the final day before his decision meets its deadline.

With rumors of potential moves to the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and even the Phoenix Suns on the table, Harden received a warning from an NBA Insider.

Speaking on Harden and the Sixers, Adrian Wojnarowski, the most trusted name in the game, said: “I think the expectation by James Harden and the Sixers all along…He would enter free agency again and sign a longer-term deal…I think one thing James Harden would like to avoid…A long negotiation period into July because the longer you are in talks, the more other options start to dry up for you.”?

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Further, Woj mentioned that the only true point of discussion would be the length of the contract with Harden entering his age-34 season.

While the team seems set to retain Harden, the same does not ring true for a certain other member of the franchise.

Tobias Harris’ trade ideas

The 76ers have been active in trade talks to begin the offseason. Their most notable trade piece is Tobias Harris. With reports of talks with the Phoenix Suns involving Deandre Ayton, it seems like the former Clipper might be moved sooner rather than later.

However, the team’s demands from the Cleveland Cavaliers can point to either of two things. Either they view Harris more highly than the rest of the league, or they aren’t serious about trading him. Philly asked for Jarret Allen, Evan Mobley, and future draft compensation in exchange for their forward.

As Philadelphia fans rained down on the front office’s ludicrous demands, Toby had a fiery response to the fanbase.

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Amid the Tobias and Sixers saga, the Harden decision might also get complicated. Either way, it seems like Darryl Morey and the 76ers have a long off-season ahead of them.