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The Philadelphia 76ers’ season ended Thursday after losing 99-90 to the Miami Heat to cap a six-game series loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Philadelphia has many offseason questions to address following the disappointing ending, including the long-term status of James Harden, who has a 2022-23 player option and can become a free agent in 2023.
At the moment, it appears the 76ers will not be offering him a long-term deal, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst:
Get Up @GetUpESPN
.<a href=”https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@WindhorstESPN</a> says to pump the brakes on Harden returning to Philadelphia next season with a max deal.<br><br>”Nobody in the NBA believes that the Sixers are going to give James Harden a max contract.” <a href=”https://t.co/vASDx6p0ek”>pic.twitter.com/vASDx6p0ek</a>
Harden told reporters postgame that he’ll “be here,” implying he’ll stick around for at least one more season.
The 32-year-old averaged 21.0 points on 40.2 percent shooting and 10.5 assists in 21 regular-season games for the 76ers after the Brooklyn Nets traded him to Philadelphia in a blockbuster deal that notably saw Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond leave Philly.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
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