James Harden reportedly plans to opt into his $35.6 million player option for the 2023–24 NBA season, allowing him to work together with the 76ers on a trade away from the franchise, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The Clippers and the Knicks are among the teams expected to engage in potential trade discussions for Harden, according Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Prior to Thursday’s news, Philadelphia had been motivated throughout the offseason to bring the 10-time All-Star back to the City of Brotherly Love. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Monday that the 76ers had “focused largely their entire offseason on getting this deal done.”

“I think they’re willing to give him the pay increase up to at the max contract or near the max,” Windhorst said. “The question is years, and I don’t know if James Harden can walk away from a championship-level team if the Sixers are willing to give him a long-term contract. If they’re not, then I think you could see Houston come into play, but I think the Sixers are motivated to find middle ground here and I think they are confident that they can get it done.”

This story will be updated.