James Harden will stay 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 Atletico’s Shams Charania reports.
At 34 years old, Harden is not 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 the third scoring option behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
His 16.6 points per game marked his lowest scoring average since playing off the bench in Oklahoma City, behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in 2011-12. It’s the first time since that season that he’s averaged less than 20 points per game.
He led the Clippers with 8.5 assists, 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. He played 72 games for the Clippers, the first time he played more than 68 games since the 2018-19 season.
With Harden joining the Clippers as the third member of the Big Three, Los Angeles finished fourth 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 points when necessary. He increased his scoring by averaging 21.2 points, eight assists and 4.5 rebounds per game with Leonard sidelined for most of the series. He scored 33 in the Game 4 road win against the Mavericks.
Harden’s individual career resume is complete. But he is still seeking his first NBA title as he approaches his 16th season.
