'I thought the same thing last year with my last team,' James Harden refuses to admit that he wants to retire with the Clippers

Harden didn’t hate the whole idea of it though:

I thought the same thing last year, the last team I was on. That's why I did all those sacrifices but I'm here, home. We have an opportunity. I want to be able to keep the core together for a few years and I haven't had those opportunities the last few years so things are going well and I'm happy.

Harden’s history of team changes, from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets and then the Philadelphia 76ers, has been marked by similar statements about his future, only to see him move on under various circumstances.

The Clippers, who have invested heavily in stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, face a complex decision regarding Harden’s future with the team, especially considering his current performance and age.

James Harden eyes first ring with the Los Angeles Clippers as a last shot at redemption

The whole situation Harden had with the Philadelphia 76ers last year didn’t exactly sit well with most franchises. After his dismal start with the Clippers, fans and critics alike were criticizing his cocky remarks about being the system himself, despite joining an already stacked team.

As Harden began figuring out how the Clippers work, they began stacking up wins. This quickly put them at the top in their division, and 4th overall in the West. However, fans aren’t taking this statement well either. Some speculate that when things get hard in LA, Harden is sure to throw a fit and demand a trade yet again.

The Los Angeles Clippers have never been this strong. With multiple major threats on the floor, they are one of the most tricky teams to counter or defend. The expectations are high for both the Clippers and Harden, and this might be their last chance to prove themselves.