James Harden plans to become an unrestricted free agent this summer by declining his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. If he winds up signing with the Houston Rockets in free agency, the Sixers would have no clear path to replace him this offseason.
Joel Embiid, who is firmly in win-now mode, might not have the patience to see through an extensive retool. The Sixers should instead try to sell him on a plan to make an ambitious splash during the 2024 offseason and try to tread water until then.