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James Harden Predicted to Sign $75 Million Deal in Summer
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Clippers went 50-32 this season, finishing with the fifth-best record in the rugged Western Conference despite two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard only playing 37 games. 

2018 MVP James Harden had a terrific season for the Clippers, averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists in 79 games. 

The Clippers faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs and lost the series in seven games. LAC has never reached the NBA Finals in franchise history despite having Leonard, Harden, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul suit up for them. 

Harden, who has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Clippers, has a player option worth $36.3 million for next season. While the offseason hasn't started yet, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report predicted that Harden will opt out of his contract and sign a new deal with the Clippers worth $75 million.

"Harden, who has a $36.3 million player option for next season, played well enough to opt out in anticipation of receiving a slight pay increase. He just shouldn't plan on trying to find that money elsewhere, since he'd be an awkward fit for Brooklyn or Detroit," Buckley wrote. "Look for the 35-year-old to run it back on something close to a two-year, $75 million deal."

Harden requested a trade from the Sixers in 2023 and was traded to the Clippers. The 11-time All-Star is averaging 19.8 points and 8.6 assists with LAC.

The Clippers haven't advanced past the first round of the playoffs in the Harden era. Assuming Harden stays with LAC, it will be intriguing to see how the Clippers do next season with Harden and Leonard leading the way again.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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NBA

Sacramento Kings Announce Signing Of Elite 3-Point Shooter

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NFL analyst says teams should be 'extremely scared' of this franchise in 2025
NFL

NFL analyst says teams should be 'extremely scared' of this franchise in 2025

While the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders have garnered a lot of attention lately, there is one NFC team that has quietly been flying under the radar. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a one-score game to the Lions in the divisional round in 2023 and followed that up with another one-score loss to QB Jayden Daniels and the Commanders last season, proving how close they have been to the ultimate prize in the two seasons with Baker Mayfield under center. In an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up" Tuesday morning, analyst and former player Ryan Clark offered high praise for Mayfield and what the Buccaneers are capable of. "Baker Mayfield is a top-10 quarterback in this league," Clark said. "Baker Mayfield is a football player. And when I say that, I know people at home are gonna be like, 'Duh, he gets paid to play football.' No, not all quarterbacks are seen as football players. Not all quarterbacks are embraced in the locker room as one of us." Clark sees the Buccaneers as a team the rest of the league should be paying attention to because of who they have returning and the close calls in the playoffs the last two seasons. "This is a team that's been on the cusp the last two years," Clark said. "Now you think about some of the pieces they've added, the confidence in their quarterback and the way that he plays, and Todd Bowles with another year to understand winning at a high level at the head coach position. This is a team you better be extremely scared of because they're stacked and they're confident." Mayfield has been sensational during his time with the Buccaneers. Although he did throw 16 interceptions, Mayfield accounted for the third-most passing yards (4,500) in the league last season and has thrown the most TD passes (69) in the last two seasons, per StatMuse. To add even more incentive for Mayfield, the team restructured his contract, which is set to expire after the 2026 season, to include $30M in guaranteed salary for that season. The Buccaneers return a lot of production on both sides of the ball, in addition to bringing in first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka, who topped 1,000 receiving yards twice at Ohio State and accounted for 26 total TDs. While Tampa Bay allowed the 17th-most points per game (22.7) last season, it returns the majority of its defensive production. On top of that, the offseason acquisition of veteran LB and two-time Pro-Bowler Haason Reddick, who agreed to terms on a one-year deal, should be a welcomed addition for a franchise that had some question marks on defense last season. The Buccaneers are projected to have the sixth-easiest schedule in the NFL this season and have the best chance to win the NFC South for the fifth consecutive season, according to ESPN Analytics. If Mayfield can cut back on his turnovers and the defense can create more pressure on opposing QBs, the Buccaneers could be a threat in the NFC once again as they look to put their recent nail-biting losses in the postseason behind them.

Yankees’ planned fire sale after Aaron Judge injury epitomizes roster weakness
MLB

Yankees’ planned fire sale after Aaron Judge injury epitomizes roster weakness

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 Seattle Mariners Set to Promote Triple-A Standout to Big-League Roster
MLB

Seattle Mariners Set to Promote Triple-A Standout to Big-League Roster

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