"James Harden took that big a pay cut because he knows he ain't that nia no more", "Brother you couldn’t have f**king done this in 2012" - Fans ruthlessly mock Philly star as he takes $15m pay cut

Philadelphia 76ers superstar James Harden will return to the team in free agency. The former MVP took a $15 million pay cut to bolster his team's chances of building a competitive roster around him and Joel Embiid.The Sixers have already acquired one of the most coveted veterans in PJ Tucker, signing him to a lucrative three-year $30 million deal. Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey will be eligible to sign an extension at the end of the season.Bleacher Report@BleacherReportJames Harden is taking a $15M paycut next season with “sole focus” on a title run with the Sixers, per @ShamsCharaniaHarden opted out of his $47M player option, giving Philly roster flexibility, and now plans to sign a new two-year deal with a player option in his second year13119817James Harden is taking a $15M paycut next season with “sole focus” on a title run with the Sixers, per @ShamsCharaniaHarden opted out of his $47M player option, giving Philly roster flexibility, and now plans to sign a new two-year deal with a player option in his second year https://t.co/3JobqmCNs8Harden had an underwhelming debut season with the Philadelphia 76ers after joining them midway through the 2021-22 campaign. He will be hoping to get back to his best next season.It's evident that Harden is willing to do whatever it takes to win his first championship, and his decision to take a pay cut is a testament to that.Fans had mixed reactions to Harden's new contract.One fan wrote on Twitter:&quot;James Harden took that big a** pay cut bcuz he knows he ain't that ni--a no more&quot;Another fan took a dig at Harden for not taking a pay cut in 2012 with the OKC Thunder.&quot;Brother you couldn’t have f**king done this in 2012&quot;Here are some more reactions below:Shams Charania@ShamsCharaniaSources: James Harden is taking a $15 million paycut for next season that allowed Philadelphia to elevate roster — with sole focus on a championship run in 2023. Harden opted out of his $47M player option and now plans to sign a new two-year deal with a player option in Year 2.302793477Sources: James Harden is taking a $15 million paycut for next season that allowed Philadelphia to elevate roster — with sole focus on a championship run in 2023. Harden opted out of his $47M player option and now plans to sign a new two-year deal with a player option in Year 2.A reaction to the James Harden pay cut (Image via @ThaKidSantana/Twitter)Another reaction to the news (Image via @GiddeyDimes)NBA Memes@NBAMemes*James Harden takes a $15 million paycut*The clubs in Philly:1665*James Harden takes a $15 million paycut*The clubs in Philly: https://t.co/ejbQo20BhVDRO@agutierrezz96@LegionHoops @ShamsCharania Took a $15m paycut so pj doesnt have to guard him anymore2@LegionHoops @ShamsCharania Took a $15m paycut so pj doesnt have to guard him anymoreJoe@JoeZYSN@LegionHoops @ShamsCharania Ring chasing13@LegionHoops @ShamsCharania Ring chasing https://t.co/1cBgDzggXhBango Burner 🦌@BangoBurner_@ShamsCharania &quot;James Harden&quot; &quot;championship run&quot;661@ShamsCharania &quot;James Harden&quot; &quot;championship run&quot;https://t.co/3dwLteZ9ZrZainab Javed@zrjaved@ShamsCharania he’s an angel883@ShamsCharania he’s an angel https://t.co/jX55OBeZZkCaesars Sportsbook@CaesarsSports@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania Embiid right now5@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania Embiid right now https://t.co/Oyfnmpxa70Andrew Bailey@A_Bailey7@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania It shouldn’t be considered a pay cut if you deserve the pay cut13@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania It shouldn’t be considered a pay cut if you deserve the pay cutPeak Process@Peak_Process@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania Sixers back in free agency w 2 mil392@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania Sixers back in free agency w 2 mil https://t.co/MVFMaE1vXbDepressed Lakers Fan@oprahsideclark@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania It’s admirable what Harden did, but he’s basically leaving after this season. And yes he will leave lol 521@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania It’s admirable what Harden did, but he’s basically leaving after this season. And yes he will leave lol 😂 https://t.co/4RMN0wRnM8JiQuan@_JiQuan_@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania Imagine if the 76ers don’t win a chip in the next 2 years &amp; he took a payout for nothing. 4@BleacherReport @ShamsCharania Imagine if the 76ers don’t win a chip in the next 2 years &amp; he took a payout for nothing. 😂Jonathan Mitchell@Jon_Mitchell3@BleacherReport This dude man . He’ll take a 15 Million Dollar PayCut to stay with Philly but wouldn’t take a 5 Million Dollar PayCut to stay with KD and Russ671@BleacherReport This dude man 😂. He’ll take a 15 Million Dollar PayCut to stay with Philly but wouldn’t take a 5 Million Dollar PayCut to stay with KD and Russ https://t.co/Ryx5sk3OATPhiladelphia 76ers' chances of winning the championship depend on James Harden's performancesThe Philadelphia 76ers have failed to get past the conference semifinals since 2001, when they made the NBA Finals. Over the past few years, they have had chances to progress to the conference finals and possibly the NBA Finals.However, the Sixers always lacked the firepower to make a deep playoff run. They lacked a piece or two that could have made the difference for them.During the 2021 playoffs, Philadelphia didn't have a legitimate scoring option to help Joel Embiid. Last season, James Harden failed to play at a high level consistently. The 2018 league MVP hasn't looked the same since his hamstring injury in 2021.The Sixers signed him in a blockbuster trade in exchange for Ben Simmons, hoping he could take the pressure off Embiid. But that wasn't the case.The Philadelphia 76ers have acquired a proven veteran in PJ Tucker this offseason. Tucker compensates for the departures of defensive-minded players like Danny Green and Ben Simmons. His perimeter shooting also makes up for Matisse Thybulle's shortcomings on offense.However, the Sixers' hopes of being successful hinges on how well Harden performs. If he can be a legitimate scoring threat, he will open up the floor for Embiid to be even more impactful.

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