NBA Rumors: Clippers, James Harden, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Julius Randle

James Harden remains front and center, with Spotrac’s Keith Smith breaking down the decisions ahead. Whether L.A. brings back Harden — and at what price — will likely dictate how the rest of the summer unfolds. Harden, who turns 36 next season, showed flashes of vintage playmaking but also signs of aging legs. A multi-year deal carries real risk.

There’s also Norman Powell, whose steady production makes him a candidate for a possible extension, though it’s unclear if the Clippers want to commit long-term money with luxury tax concerns looming. Meanwhile, other rotation pieces could be back, but nothing is guaranteed.

• We published our own Clippers offseason preview last month, outlining the complications of building a contending roster around stars with some serious mileage.

Nuggets

The Nuggets may not own a 2025 draft pick, but they still want their house in order before draft night rolls around on June 25.

According to The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando, Denver is aiming to settle its front office leadership ahead of the draft, even if it doesn’t plan to make a splash that evening. The job of general manager remains technically open after Calvin Booth’s dismissal, with interim GM Ben Tenzer currently steering the ship.

Tenzer, along with longtime front office hand Tommy Balcetis, appears to be among the leading internal candidates. And while there’s always a chance Denver has outside names under serious consideration, the leak-free nature of the search has left little evidence of any such movement.

• If Tenzer keeps the job, it would mark a continuation of the internal continuity that’s been a hallmark of the franchise since Tim Connelly’s departure. Continuity only gets you so far, though, as the Nuggets are now facing a tighter Western Conference and the pressure of building around a prime-age Nikola Jokic.
• In case you missed it, Russell Westbrook appears set to decline his player option. He is already being linked to the Mavericks and Kings.

Timberwolves

Fresh off a second straight run to the West Finals, the Timberwolves find themselves trying to navigate the luxury tax labyrinth. And as The Third Apron’s Yossi Gozlan notes, the biggest question isn’t whether they’ll be a taxpayer — they almost certainly will — it’s how deep they’re willing to go.

Minnesota is projected to sit above the NBA’s dreaded second tax apron, which brings along stiff penalties and could cost it access to tools like the mid-level exception or even the ability to trade future draft picks.

The Wolves already saw one first-round pick frozen due to second-apron restrictions, and ownership may not be eager to repeat that.

• Gozlan floats an intriguing possibility: Julius Randle could decline his $30 million player option and return on a longer-term deal starting at a lower number, which would help ease the financial strain. It’s speculative, but given the Wolves’ cap gymnastics, creative solutions like that may be on the table.