Sixers: James Harden hasn’t earned his max-extension yet

It’s important not to take away from the importance of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors coming, this series has highlighted several things about one of the big names in it. That of course is James Harden, who the Sixers acquired mid-season from the Brooklyn Nets.

At first in Philly, Harden looked like the player he was when he first joined the Nets. An elite playmaker who could score pretty much at will. However, since then he’s looked like a shell of his former MVP self. So much so, it should make the 76ers’ front office reconsider giving him a max extension this offseason.

The Sixers shouldn’t give Harden a max extension this offseason.

Harden didn’t exercise his player option after the trade and could very well do so in the offseason, per Dan Feldman of NBCSports. It’s worth $46.8 million and honestly, he might want to do that because it might be the last time he gets as big as a payday. The reason why is because Harden isn’t a superstar anymore in this league.

Does that mean Harden’s completely washed? No, he can still provide timely defense and elite playmaking, but his days of being an elite scorer are gone. During the regular season with the Sixers, he averaged just 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 10.5 assists, while shooting 40.2 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from the 3-point line. His shooting woes have gotten even worse during the playoffs.

In the postseason, he’s averaged 18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists, while converting 37.3 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from downtown. The only positive increase is his 3-point percentage but that’s not enough to pay a player a max extension.

Some may say it’s injuries and some may say it’s the amount of NBA mileage on Harden’s body that has caused this decline. It’s safe to say it’s probably a combination of both. Regardless of the reason, it’s probably safe to say the days of Harden scoring over 20 points per game efficiently are over.

Does this mean the Sixers shouldn’t want to bring Harden back? No, but it has to be for the right price. There’s real concern that the 76ers’ president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, (usually a logical man), will listen to his hard due to his relationship with Harden and give him the max money but that would be a terrible move.

“…a cheaper deal in the long-term should be the goal for the Sixers front office whenever the offseason begins.”

Instead, Morey should look at how the Suns handled Chris Paul‘s most recent contract extension. Last offseason, the then 35-year-old Paul was signed to a four-year extension worth roughly $120 million. Harden’s arguably the second best playmaker in the NBA behind Paul and it can be argued this is about what the Sixers’ 32-year-old point guard’s worth at this point in his career.

The question becomes if Harden would be willing to take that type of pay cut. It’s understandable if he doesn’t. The problem is there won’t be much of a market for him this offseason. In terms of teams having salary cap space to sign him, there aren’t that many options.

Only the Orlando Magic, Detriot Pistons, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trail Blazers have cap space, per spotrac.com. None of those rebuilding teams will be in contention or should want a veteran star like Harden on their rosters. If Harden forces a sign-and-trade, Morey has made it clear with the Simmons situation that he’s willing to become uncomfortable to get what he wants.

Getting Harden on a cheaper deal in the long-term should be the goal for the Sixers front office whenever the offseason begins. If they can’t then looking at a sign-and-trade should be an option.