James Harden Re-Signs With The Clippers On A 2-Year, $70 Million Contract

The Los Angeles Clippers have re-signed James Harden to a two-year, $70 million contract as the franchise ensures the point guard they traded for last season spends more time with the franchise. The amount is significant annually but the 34-year-old Harden will have just two guaranteed years under the contract, according to Shams Charania.

"James Harden plans to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell The Athletic. Harden’s agents – Mike Silverman, Troy Payne, and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports – have been working with Clippers officials to finalize the new deal."

Harden averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.5 assists with the Clippers last season, forcing his way to the franchise after the Philadelphia 76ers made it clear they won't be giving him a major contract last season. As a result, he landed with the Clippers and is expected to be on the roster to start the Intuit Dome era alongside Kawhi Leonard.

Harden and Leonard will not be joined by Paul George on the squad next season, as George is widely believed to be leaving the franchise as a free agent.

Clippers Expected To Lose Paul George And Russell Westbrook

The Clippers will need to get creative in the offseason to put together a contender after the notable departures about to hit the franchise. Paul George is the most notable one after the Clippers failed to call his bluff as the 34-year-old forward is confirmed to be leaving the franchise this summer. 

“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team. Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. We feel fortunate for the five years we spent with him... We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart... We explored an opt-in and trade scenario, but it would have left us in a similar position under the new CBA, with very little asset value to justify the restrictions.”

Followed by George's departure, the franchise is also expected to trade Russell Westbrook away after he saw his role shrink with Harden's arrival last season.

"Russell Westbrook opted into his $4 million for this 2024-25 season, and now the Clippers are working to find a trade for Westbrook, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Nuggets have already considered avenues to add Westbrook, sources said."

Hopefully, bringing Harden back can lead to some positives next season as the franchise is losing many big names. With controversial additions like Kevin Porter Jr. also signing contracts, the Clippers are hoping to fashion a contender on the fly.