Harden declines $47M option to give 76ers flexibility

James Harden is taking less with hopes the Philadelphia 76ers can do more.

A person familiar with the situation said Harden chose not to exercise his $47.4 million option for next season and will become a free agent — but with no designs on leaving Philadelphia. Harden made the decision to allow the 76ers the flexibility they need to sign other players this summer, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side confirmed those plans publicly.

That will be a major factor when the NBA opens the free agency negotiating window at 6 p.m. on Thursday, with Philadelphia among the teams that will be expected to target Miami forward P.J. Tucker, among others.

The most likely scenario for Harden now is this: The 10-time All-Star signs a new deal with Philadelphia, for something close to that $47.4 million number, after the team has addressed other needs and improved its chances of becoming a true championship contender in 2023. If Harden had opted in before his Wednesday deadline, Philadelphia would have had a much more difficult time in finding financial pathways toward luring free agents.

His decision Wednesday backed up what Harden said May 12, when Philadelphia’s season ended in the second round of the playoffs — a six-game loss to top-seeded Miami.

“I’ll be here,” Harden said then. “Yeah, I’ll be here. Whatever makes this team, whatever allows this team to continue to grow and get better and do the things necessary to win and compete at the highest level.”

Harden is a three-time scoring champion and averaged 22.0 points and 10.3 assists during his time with Brooklyn and Philadelphia last season. The seven-time All-NBA player was the 2018 NBA MVP and a member of the league’s 75th anniversary team.

ELSEWHERE

Hawks-Spurs trade: Per ESPN, Atlanta dealt forward Danilo Gallinari and three first-round picks to the Spurs in exchange for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray. The picks are the Hawks’ 2023 firstround pick via the Hornets as well as their own 2025 and 2027 first-round picks, which both are unprotected. The sides also agreed to swap picks in 2026.

Jazz: Will Hardy was announced as the coach of Utah a day after the sides came to an agreement in principle. He’ll be a head coach in the NBA for the first time and at 34 is currently the league’s youngest coach. Hardy spent last season as an assistant in Boston. His previous 11 seasons were spent with the San Antonio Spurs.

Nuggets-Wizards trade: A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Denver has agreed to send guards Will Barton and Monte Morris to Washington for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith.

Timberwolves: Minnesota

is bringing back reserve forward Taurean Prince, who became a vital part of the second unit in his first season with the club. Prince and the Timberwolves have agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract extension.

Knicks-Pistons trade: A person with knowledge of the details says New York is trading Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks to Detroit in a move that frees up nearly $20 million more for free agency. Having already agreed to send

Kemba Walker to the Pistons on draft night, the Knicks have shed nearly $30 million in salary for next season.