Leading up to free agency, it was seemingly a foregone conclusion that James Harden would decline his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season to become an unrestricted free agent. But when the Houston Rockets turned their attention to Fred VanVleet and the Sixers went radio silent on Harden to avoid another round of tampering penalties, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, he instead opted in with the intention of being traded elsewhere.
The Sixers are reportedly in no hurry to trade Harden, but the uncertainty about his future—and what they’ll receive in return—may be limiting what else they can do in free agency for now.