James Harden has a massive $47.4 million player option at the end of this season, which was one of the concerns about trading for him in the event that he opted out and decided to become a free agent.

When Shams Charania first broke the trade, he reported that Harden would opt into his player option as part of the deal. The next day, Kyle Neubeck refuted that report and said Harden did NOT pick up his player option.

Harden is due for a lucrative max contract this offseason which many pointed as to why the former MVP didn’t pick up his option, but as it turns out, it appears that it was just a stupid mistake in what is likely the most relatable report ever about a professional basketball player.

According to Shams Charania, both sides filled in the paperwork to pick up Harden’s player option, but it was not submitted by the deadline. Charania went on to say Harden can’t pick up the option until the summer but that he still intends to do so at that time.

Harden has no agent or representation, so it makes sense why he might have overlooked the deadline. The most important part is that the trade is done, and even if he doesn’t pick up the option this summer, Harden will surely sign the extension keeping him in Philadelphia for several more seasons.

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Inquirer