PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers officially announced Wednesday that james harden he re-signed with the team. The club did not disclose terms in a statement, but Harden’s contract is for two years, $68.6 million, and includes a player option for the 2023-24 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski last week.
“This is where I want to be. This is where I want to win, and I think we have the pieces to do that,” Harden said in a statement. “Since my first day with the organization, the team and the fans have helped me feel at home here in Philadelphia. I’m excited to build on last season and can’t wait to get out on the floor with the guys and undertake This trip”.
Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, posted a photo on Instagram of him posing with Harden when the 10-time All-Star point guard signed his contract.
“Now this looks like a job for us,” Morey wrote.
Harden’s plans have been clear since Philly’s season ended: He was committed to staying with the 76ers and he was committed to helping them improve.
“Making less money this year to sign as many players as we needed to help us compete was very, very important to me,” Harden said in an interview this month with The Associated Press. “I wanted to show the organization, the Sixers fans and everyone who supports what we’re trying to accomplish, what I’m trying to accomplish individually, that this is what I do.”
Harden vowed to return after battling a lingering hamstring injury that cut short his production with the Brooklyn Nets and later the Sixers after he was acquired in a trade-deadline deal.
“Over the last two years we have made significant steps toward our ultimate goal of becoming champions,” said Coach Doc Rivers. “James shares our drive to win a title and believes being a 76er gives him the best opportunity to do so together. We will work tirelessly to achieve our goal.”
Harden, a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, averaged 22 points this season for Brooklyn and Philadelphia, the lowest since becoming a starter in the 2012-13 season. He turns 33 in August.
Harden, a three-time scoring champion, told the AP he was puzzled by “less” money to come back and seek a championship in Philadelphia.
“For any other player, that’s a max contract,” he said of his lower numbers, “but to me, it wasn’t the same James Harden.
The 76ers lost to top seed Miami in the second round of the playoffs. Harden had four turnovers, four baskets and a scoreless second half in a decisive Game 6 loss. The Sixers haven’t gotten past the second round since 2001. Their last NBA championship was in 1983.
“Coming back and being the aggressor, the primary goalscorer and then the attacking midfielder, is something I need for myself,” he said.
Harden has appeared in 942 games (728 starts) with Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Houston and Oklahoma City and has averages of 24.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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76ers make Harden’s renewal official