‘The stage is set for us’: Why Paul George spent his offseason preparing for a Clippers breakthrough

During the 2023 offseason, James Harden was eligible for a four-year, $210 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers if he declined his $35.6 million player option and became a free agent.

Harden was expecting a contract in that range after taking less in 2022 and also leaving a four-year, $161 million extension on the table with the Brooklyn Nets.

Sources tell ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that there was a real debate within the Philadelphia front office on the type of contract they should offer Harden. As an eventual comparison point, Kyrie Irving re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $126 million deal.

Harden’s potential leverage with the Houston Rockets faded after they hired Ime Udoka as head coach.

As free agency approached, Daryl Morey wasn’t taking calls from Harden’s camp.

“James felt like Daryl was ghosting him,” one source close to Harden said. “He felt betrayed.”

The Sixers were stunned at Harden’s decision, sources said. They insisted they intended to re-sign Harden as soon as rules allowed.

“James takes things very personally,” another source close to Harden said. “When he feels like he’s been wronged, he can be very stubborn.”