Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden has declined his $47.3 million option and will become a free agent.
Harden keeps real the possibility of negotiating a new deal with Philly that would deliver the Sixers roster-building flexibility in free agency, including use of the full $10.5 million exception.
In Harden’s conversations with the team since the end of the season, he has shared extensively his desire to help the organization reshape the roster toward championship contention.
The opt-out could go a long way in reshaping the Sixers’ bench, including that full mid-level exception, the $4.1 million biennial exception and sign-and-trade deals.