Free agent guard James Harden will be remaining with the Clippers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that the former MVP is signing a new two-year, $70MM contract with the club. The second season will be a player option, sources tell Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
Harden was acquired in November after a messy dispute with Sixers president of basketball operation Daryl Morey over what Harden considered to be broken promises in contract negotiations. Harden publicly insulted Morey and disrupted training camp in an effort to force his way out of Philadelphia.
Harden was initially an awkward fit alongside Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook, but the four All-Stars eventually worked things out and the Clippers claimed the fourth seed in the West with a 51-31 record.
Harden took over as the starting point guard and contributed 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.5 rebounds per night in 72 games.
The player option means Harden will get another chance to test the free agent market next summer when he may be better positioned to get a long-term deal.
There were rumors this weekend that the Lakers were considering targeting Harden, but as an over-the-cap team, they would have had no realistic path to match the Clippers’ offer.
Harden’s new deal pushes the Clippers’ projected team salary above $152MM for 10 players, according to Yossi Gozlan at CapSheets.com. That puts the team about $19MM below the luxury tax line, but doesn’t account for Paul George, whose maximum salary would push that total into second-apron territory if he returns. If George signs elsewhere, the Clippers could have the full mid-level exception and bi-annual exception available.
SEVENTY MILLION????? GREAT HEAVENS
For 2 years and with the way NBA salaries are now, I’m actually surprised it isn’t more. $35M AAV is–dare I say–reasonable at this point in his career. That’s more of a reflection of how insane contracts have gotten though.
Apparently you were locked out of your watch nba games with James harden playing last season. Your comment is mind boggling insanely ridiculous.
Well apparently the Clippers front office doesn’t think so.
Averaged 16.6 on the T-4th best eFG% of his career (his ppg being a sacrifice, let’s be honest, as he averaged the 4th fewest shot attempts of his career), 5.1, and 8.8. In a league in which Anunoby gets $37M and Tobias Harris signed for $36M five years ago with a lower cap it’s not insane that someone with a track record such as his can still get a $35M AAV. And that’s the level LA felt they had to go to in order to retain him.
I’m not saying I’d sign him for $35M AAV, I’m saying I’m not surprised he got it.
he had I think 1 good playoff game. He’s maybe worth $25M but he’s so limited now. They would’ve been better going another route. Iso ball in LA does not work
$25M sounds very fair, but it’s the NBA where the top 25 or so free agents in any given year are “overpaid.” Let’s say Harden is worth the $25M you stated based on his play. It’s not surprising then, IMO, that LA felt they needed to go up a bit more to keep him from taking other meetings.
$35M AAV is tied for 35th in the NBA with Immanuel Quickley. It’s not like he is in the top 10. That’s why I’m surprised he just took that offer without entertaining others.
That’s nothing these days man. What rock have you been hiding under?
This is the worst deal I’ve seen!!!
Lakers plan to offer Harden MLE and championship chance.
I’m pretty sure he isn’t allowed to play for both the Clippers and Lakers.
Were.
Worth…..ahhh not every penny…that’s too many pennies…
Wow talk about a overpay
That’s a lot of money for a player in decline . He’s a shell of the player he used to be . Clippers were pressured to keep him when they traded for him less than a year ago
James just fits with the CLIPPERS – just everything, the losing culture, the bad losses.
Welcome home.
Ball hard all year to finish the season with a 10 TO game to GSW. Hard feelings. Can your doctor after 4 hours.
I’m just curious what Morey offered him. If it was similar.
Thank God.
– Laker Fans
I wouldn’t want him for free ……
Too much
James Harden just not worth 2 years $70 million and I’m starting to think Lawrence Frank needs to be replaced over there. Los Angeles Clippers are having the worst offseason by far!