James Harden has declined his $47.4 million player option with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2022-23 season. Harden will re-sign with the Sixers to a long-term deal when free agency opens.

Harden is expected to take a big enough pay cut to give Philadelphia access to make moves under the luxury tax apron. This could include freeing up enough money to use both the $10.5 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception and the $4.1 million Bi-Annual Exception. Giving the 76ers this flexibility could also make the team a player in sign-and-trade discussions.