Glenn James/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
The Los Angeles Clippers re-signed James Harden to a two-year contract value $70 million that features a participant choice, in line with Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Harden spent the 2023-24 season with the Clippers following a commerce from the Philadelphia 76ers. Regardless of the blockbuster transfer, Los Angeles nonetheless fell within the first spherical of the playoffs to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers may additionally danger dropping Paul George in free company, as Yahoo Sports activities’ Jake Fischer reported on Sunday that the staff is not keen to supply him a contract longer than three years.
With numerous uncertainty surrounding Los Angeles’ future, followers weren’t impressed with Harden’s deal.
Mike North @North2North
Dangerous information for clippers as James Harden is gonna stick with them .. @ESPN1000 @benmaller 👀🏀✍️
DraftKings Sportsbook @DKSportsbook
The Clippers’ odds to win the NBA Title BEFORE re-signing James Harden: +4000
The Clippers’ odds to win the NBA Title AFTER re-signing James Harden: +4000 pic.twitter.com/eicFa4nDnH
Fischer famous that the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers are each “ready” to supply George a four-year most contract, which may find yourself being the distinction in his free company determination. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the 34-year-old plans to talk with all three groups beginning on Sunday night time.
If George departs in free company, it might be tough for the Clippers to contend for a prime seed within the Western Convention with simply Harden and Kawhi Leonard main the staff. Leonard is 33 years previous, whereas Harden will likely be 35 earlier than the start of subsequent season.
Los Angeles can be coping with the unsure way forward for Russell Westbrook. Though he accepted his $4 million participant choice on Saturday, Charania reported that the Clippers are “actively” engaged on trades involving him.
Harden wrapped up an underwhelming 2023-24 season, as his scoring common dipped beneath 20 factors per recreation for the primary time since his days with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. He additionally shot simply 42.8 p.c from the sphere, the third-lowest mark of his profession. Whereas his particular person manufacturing might enhance as soon as once more with George probably out of the image, it isn’t a certainty.
Even when his numbers do enhance as a doable No. 2 scoring choice, the Clippers would possible be worse off with out a nine-time All-Star equivalent to George within the beginning lineup.