When James Harden was a free agent in 2022 and re-signed on a two-year, $68.6 million, sources tell ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that he "knew the reason he was 'sacrificing' was that the [Philadelphia] Sixers didn't feel comfortable offering him a new maximum contract worth upward of $270 million."

By taking less money, the Sixers were able to sign PJ Tucker and Danuel House in free agency that offseason. The Sixers were fined and penalized a second round draft pick for their illegal contact with Tucker and House.

Harden had previously been offered a max contract extension by the Brooklyn Nets, but he wanted to wait to evaluate the situation. The Sixers were treating him in a similar manner.

The two sides used the "sacrifice" narrative throughout last season.