The Eastern Conference semifinal loss left Rivers with the pot on his back. Even if he is a famous top coach, when he coached Harden and Embiid, he had no choice but to become a tragedy. The 76ers grabbed seven out, and the combination of Harden and Embiid also reached a very critical fork in the road.
According to Chris Heynes, Harden is prepared to decline the $35.6 million player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent. At the same time, he will only consider joining a team that can provide a competitive squad and make him his own.
Harden refused to execute his contract for next season for a very simple reason. Because of the rules of the 38-year-old clause, Harden, who is now about to turn 34, can only sign a maximum salary contract of 4 years at most. And when he is another year older, Harden's maximum salary years will be reduced to 3 years. For a player of this age, this may be the last high-paying contract of Harden's career, so he must seize the opportunity to lock in future earnings.
As for the next option, Harden certainly wants to continue chasing a championship, but perhaps he doesn't want to make a huge sacrifice and get nothing like this season. After losing the streak, Harden expressed his self-sacrifice and expressed his disappointment this season.
When the news of Rivers' dismissal was exposed, D'Antoni immediately rushed to the hot search. Harden and D'Antoni have always achieved each other, beards are well in the coach's system, and the 76ers have many former Rockets players. If D'Antoni had coached the 76ers, the team could have become another replica of the Rockets.
76ers management has made it clear that the team will still choose the type of manager Embiid likes. In terms of style system, Harden's mentor D'Anthony is not a good match for Embiid. What's more, if D'Antoni and Harden continue to be on the front edge, it will inevitably affect Embiid's core position in the team. If the 76ers choose D'Antoni as their new manager, it is tantamount to announcing to Embiid that you will take a back seat and honestly help Harden...
From this analysis, Harden and D'Antoni may be difficult to get together in the 76ers. After all, reorganizing the team, seeking power to usurp the throne, kicking Embiid as the big brother, the 76ers management will not agree to such a strategy. But at the same time, Harden jumped out of the contract, something almost certain. The 76ers face a huge choice problem.
It is reported that the current 76ers can give a contract of up to $210 million for 4 years, while other teams with salary space can give up to $202 million for 4 years, with a difference of only $8 million. It can be seen that money will not be the focus of Harden's consideration. But the current situation is that the 76ers have not yet reported that they are willing to give a 4-year salary extension to Harden.
On the one hand, Harden hopes to get a high-paying long-term contract and make a comeback to be himself again; On the other hand, the 76ers want to continue to focus on Embiid and regroup. In fact, these two points feel that the path is quite contradictory. Perhaps, the combination of Harden and Embiid has already played their last game.