They had to overpay to be done w/diva Simmons and his lofty contract. Imagine having a salary of 35mil/yr and opt to stay home? I could hate everyone in the organization, people throwing rocks/hand grenades on my way to work and I'd still go.
Correct and most people don't know this but is huge. Harden is only under contract though next season. My guess is if the Sixers don't win a championship this year or next they won't extend Harden which is great and move on since he'll be 35. Hell, they saved money this year fining Simmons more than 20mil for not attending practices, meetings and such.