James Harden has declined his player option and has agreed to sign a new two-year, $81.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden was traded to the Clippers during the 2023-24 season and re-signed on a two-year, $70 million contract.
Harden and the Clippers have a mutual option for Year 2 with a partial guarantee should the team decline it. Harden now aligns with the final season of Kawhi Leonard’s contract, which runs through 2026-27.
Harden averaged 22.8 points on 41/35/87 shooting splits, 5.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists across 79 games on his way to an All-NBA Third Team selection as the Clippers exceeded expectations last season. The Clippers reshaped their roster last offseason around Harden, Leonard and Ivica Zubac after losing Paul George in free agency. The Clippers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in seven games by the Denver Nuggets.
The Clippers acquired Harden via trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in October 2023 in exchange for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder.