James Harden is declining his $36.3 million player option and intends to sign a two-year, $81.5 million contract to return to the LA Clippers, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
The second year of Harden’s deal has a player option and is partially guaranteed, sources said. The agreement furthers the strong partnership Harden has forged with the Clippers since he arrived. He receives a well-deserved raise while providing the team with flexibility to add talent in the present and future.
An 11-time All-Star, Harden, 35, earned All-NBA honors for the first time since 2019-20 after another stellar regular season with the Clippers in which he averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists.
The veteran point guard was a stalwart for a team missing Kawhi Leonard for most of the season. Harden appeared in 79 games — his most since 2016-17 — and finished with the fifth-most minutes played in the league. He became the only player this past season with 1,500 points, 500 assists, 100 steals and 50 blocks.
Harden’s high level of play and availability helped fuel what many considered an overachieving season for the Clippers, who won 50 games and made the playoffs as a No. 5 seed.
