The Los Angeles Clippers went 50-32 this season, finishing with the fifth-best record in the rugged Western Conference despite two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard only playing 37 games.
2018 MVP James Harden had a terrific season for the Clippers, averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists in 79 games.
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The Clippers faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs and lost the series in seven games. LAC has never reached the NBA Finals in franchise history despite having Leonard, Harden, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul suit up for them.
Harden, who has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Clippers, has a player option worth $36.3 million for next season. While the offseason hasn’t started yet, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report predicted that Harden will opt out of his contract and sign a new deal with the Clippers worth $75 million.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James HardenMandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
“Harden, who has a $36.3 million player option for next season, played well enough to opt out in anticipation of receiving a slight pay increase. He just shouldn’t plan on trying to find that money elsewhere, since he’d be an awkward fit for Brooklyn or Detroit,” Buckley wrote. “Look for the 35-year-old to run it back on something close to a two-year, $75 million deal.”
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Harden requested a trade from the Sixers in 2023 and was traded to the Clippers. The 11-time All-Star is averaging 19.8 points and 8.6 assists with LAC.
The Clippers haven’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs in the Harden era. Assuming Harden stays with LAC, it will be intriguing to see how the Clippers do next season with Harden and Leonard leading the way again.
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