James Harden is staying with the Clippers.
The 10-time All-Star and former league MVP is signing a two-year, $70 million contract to remain in Los Angeles, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports. The deal includes a player option in the second seasonaccording to the report.
News of Harden’s deal arrived just before the start of NBA free agency on Sunday, as Paul George’s future with the franchise remained unclear. George reportedly opted out of the remaining year and $48.8 million on his Clippers contract Saturday to test free agency.
George reportedly has plans to meet with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic in addition to the Clippers. Keeping George alongside Harden and Kawhi Leonard is key to the Clippers’ hopes of contending for a championship next season.
What role will Harden play with the Clippers next season?
At 34, Harden is no longer the same player who won three scoring titles and an MVP in his prime. He took on an unfamiliar role with the Clippers last season as a third scoring option behind Leonard and George.
His 16.6 points per game marked his lowest scoring average since playing as a bench seat behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City in 2011-12. It’s the first time since that season that he averaged fewer than 20 points per game.
He led the Clippers with 8.5 assists to go along with 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. His 4.8 free throw attempts per game were the third fewest of his career.
Harden also had his healthiest campaign in years, playing in 72 games for the Clippers, the first time he’s played more than 68 games since the 2018-19 season.
With Harden as the third member of their big three for the Clippers, Los Angeles finished in fourth place in the West at 51-31. With Leonard hobbled and absent for four games, the Clippers suffered a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the eventual Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks.
Harden is still capable of scoring when needed. He increased his scoring by averaging 21.2 points, eight assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while Leonard was sidelined for most of that series. He scored 33 in a road win in Game 4 against the Mavericks.
Harden’s individual career resume is complete. But he’s still looking for his first NBA title as he approaches his 16th season.
