After returning to his All-Star form in 2024, both James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers had some big decisions to make this offseason— and it sounds like the 35-year-old has made his choice for them.
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the former MVP will not be accepting his player option but still plans to return to the team on a new short-term deal in the range of $82 million.
“11-time NBA All-Star James Harden is declining his player option and intends to sign a new two-year, $81.5 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers,” Charania reported.
The Beard is coming off a season in which he averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game for the 50-32 Clippers— good for fifth in the West.
Harden was due $36.3 million next season if he opted into his current contract. But now he’s likely to re-up on a two-year deal that will pay him roughly $5 million more annually.
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Harden’s new agreement would also align his tenure in LA with Kawhi Leonard’s which is due to expire in 2026-27. He and Leonard are the last two remaining superstars on the Clippers roster after parting ways with Paul George last summer.
There’s still a lot to figure out for Steve Ballmer and Co. in the weeks and months to come. But locking up Harden checks at least one of the franchise’s boxes for the time being.
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