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James Harden is focused on winning a championship, which is why he has decided to give up his contract and take less money to return to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden said in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday he wants the 76ers to add as many pieces as possible and he will take what’s left. He turned down a $47.4 million player option earlier in the season and instead reportedly agreed to a two-year deal that will see him earn $32 million next season.
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James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during game four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the heat 116-108. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The deal has yet to be finalized.
“Taking less money this year to sign as many players as we need to sustain ourselves and be the last team standing was very, very important to me,” Harden said. “I wanted to show the organization, the Sixers fans and everyone else who supports what we’re trying to achieve, what I’m trying to achieve personally, that this is what I’m all about.”
The 76ers acquired Harden in a deadline trade with the Nets that saw Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond and Seth Curry go to Brooklyn.
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James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the NBA Semifinals match between the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center on May 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The season did not go as he had wished. The 76ers were eliminated by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference playoffs. He said he hopes he can come back and be the aggressive player he knows he can be.
“Coming back and being the attacker, first the goalscorer and then the playmaker, is something I need for myself,” Harden said.
The Star Guard is healthy and wants to recover.
“I’m looking forward to an incredible season. I don’t want to just go out there and run around and not be efficient and look old out there. I still want to be really, really, really good,” he said.
James Harden (1) of the Philadelphia 76ers shouts to his teammate during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Sunday, February 27, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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In 21 games with the 76ers, Harden averaged 21 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is a sports editor at Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].