Rumor: James Harden, Chris Paul ‘Didn’t Have The Greatest Relationship’ On Rockets, Harden On Board With Paul Joining Clippers

James Harden and Chris Paul “didn’t have the greatest relationship” when they were teammates on the Houston Rockets from 2017-18 to 2018-19, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN. 

However, Harden is on board with Paul joining the Los Angeles Clippers. 

“And you know look, there had to be an understanding with James Harden,” Windhorst said. “He and James Harden didn’t have the greatest relationship when they were in Houston a few years ago, but Harden is on board with this signing. They went to him with it first. He understands that he played the fifth most minutes in the league last year and anything the Clippers can do to support and protect him is welcomed and that’s what this move is.”

Paul, 40, is not expected to play a lot next season for the Clippers, who have never been to the NBA Finals. 

“From what I understand, he’s not gonna have guaranteed playing time,” Windhorst said. “There are going to be nights where James Harden and their backup Kris Dunn get the minutes at point guard and Chris Paul might not play at all, which is something you’ve never seen from him before. He has understood that. He understands that he’s gonna be in that spot that he hasn’t. He wants to be on a competitive team in the market he wants to play in near his family.”

The Clippers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2025 postseason in seven games. Paul, Bradley Beal and John Collins are the newcomers on the roster. 

LAC is expected to start Harden, Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Collins and Ivica Zubac next season. 

Paul played in all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 42.7% from the field, 37.7% from beyond the arc and 92.4% from the free-throw line.

Paul played for the Clippers from 2011-17. He’s expected to retire from the NBA after next season. 

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