This summer, James Harden has a $36.3 million player option. Harden is expected to return to the LA Clippers, but he may do so after declining that option. That would allow Harden to sign a longer-term deal.
For the Clippers, that could represent an opportunity to align Harden’s deal with that of Kawhi Leonard. LA has Leonard on the books through the 2026-27 season. In the summer of 2027, the only guaranteed contract on the Clippers books is Ivica Zubac.
In the summer of 2027, LA could be positioned with well over $100 million in cap space. That could be when the team pivots to a post-Leonard/Harden version of the team.
Harden was an All-Star in his first full season in LA. The veteran guard has given the Clippers someone they can rely with Leonard’s spotty health record. In addition, Harden has formed a potent pick-and-roll duo with Zubac.