Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Major James Harden Clippers Rumor Emerges Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 2:53 PM ET

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden made the All-Star team this year for the first time since 2022. The 2018 MVP also made an All-NBA team for the first time since 2020.

Harden appeared in 79 games this season. He averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists while shooting 41.0% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free-throw line.

The Clippers went 50-32 this season. They were the fifth seed in the West and faced Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

The series went seven games, with the Nuggets winning Game 7 in Denver.

Harden, who turns 36 in August, has a player option to return to the Clippers next season. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the future Hall of Famer is expected to decline his player option and sign a new deal with Los Angeles.

"Harden is trending towards declining his $36.35 million player option, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto wrote. "Both Harden and the Clippers are interested in continuing their partnership, sources say, with a growing belief that his next contract could keep him in Los Angeles through the 2026-27 season alongside Kawhi Leonard."

The Clippers acquired Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023. Harden is averaging 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.6 asssts with Los Angeles.

A three-time scoring champion, Harden is still looking to win his first championship. He has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Sixers and Clippers.

Harden has career averages of 24.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 1,151 NBA games. He was the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

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

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