James Harden Secures Two-Year, $70 Million Deal With Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden will return to the Los Angeles Clippers, having agreed to a two-year, $70 million contract. The deal includes a player option for the second year, according to Yahoo Sports. Harden joined the Clippers from the Philadelphia 76ers on November 1 and is set for his first full season in Los Angeles.

Harden's re-signing provides some stability amid an uncertain offseason for the Clippers. ESPN reported that Paul George has declined his $48.7 million player option for next season to explore free agency. George plans to meet with the 76ers and Orlando Magic, along with the Clippers, in the coming days.

Playing alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Harden averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists per game last season. He also shot 38.1% from three-point range over 72 regular-season games. The 2017-18 NBA MVP helped lead the Clippers to a 51-31 record and the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Clippers were eliminated in six games by the Dallas Mavericks, who eventually reached the NBA Finals. Despite this, Harden's presence was significant as he averaged 21.2 points per game during the playoff series against Dallas.

Paul George's decision to decline his player option adds uncertainty to the Clippers' offseason plans. His meetings with other teams could influence his future with Los Angeles. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for the team's strategy moving forward.

Harden's return comes after a turbulent offseason where he had a public falling out with 76ers general manager Daryl Morey. This led to Harden requesting a trade and eventually being dealt to the Clippers in a seven-player trade.

Stability Amid Uncertainty

The re-signing of Harden brings some much-needed stability to the Clippers' roster. His agents, Mike Silverman, Troy Payne, and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports, worked closely with Clippers officials to finalize this new deal.

Despite posting his lowest points-per-game output since 2010-11 last season, Harden was instrumental in several key games. The team went 46-26 with him on the court during the regular season, showcasing his value beyond just scoring.

"James Harden plans to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers," sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. "Harden’s agents Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports have been working with Clippers officials to finalize new deal." pic.twitter.com/dRYRS9roL9 — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

As Harden prepares for another season with Los Angeles, fans are eager to see how his presence will impact their performance in both regular-season games and potential playoff runs.