The Los Angeles Clippers have a lot on their plate for the 2024 offseason, and they need to reach contract extensions with Paul George, Westbrook and James Harden. According to the latest reports, James Harden has always wanted a big contract with a maximum salary, but he has completed his contract extension with the Clippers, and James Harden has signed a two-year contract worth $70 million.
No way, James Harden is 34 years old, and few teams are willing to give him a good big contract. In particular, when he took a pay cut to renew the 76ers, he could no longer get a contract with an annual salary of more than $40 million.
"James Harden plans to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers." Harden's agent, Equity Sports' Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Greer, have been working with Clippers management to finalize a new deal. ”
James Harden is still one of the best guards in the league, but his average of just 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game in 2023-24 has made it difficult for him to get a bigger contract. The reason why he chose to leave the 76ers last year was because they were unwilling to give him a big contract with an annual salary of more than $40 million
So, in the 2023 offseason, James Harden began to force the palace to trade. Later, he joined the Los Angeles Clippers as he wished, partnering Leonard, Paul George and Westbrook, but unfortunately, the Clippers' playoff record was not very good, and they were eliminated in the first round.
Now that James Harden has signed a contract extension to stay with the Clippers, Westbrook has exercised his player option, and Leonard has a big contract in place. The so-called Big Four, currently only Paul George, has not signed a contract extension with the Clippers. Paul George reportedly wanted the same max-salary contract as Leonard, which was rejected by the Clippers.
The Clippers are expected to soon lose Paul George, who wants the last big contract of his career, and Paul George has been rumored to be traded with a number of teams since the beginning of last season. Moreover, there have been a lot of trade rumors with the Golden State Warriors recently, and the Golden State Warriors have also offered him, but the chip value is too low and the Clippers have rejected it.
Although it looks like he will stay with the Clippers next season, it is reported that he is not satisfied with the playing time and tactical position given by the team. It is also possible that Wei Shao will choose to leave the Los Angeles Clippers by signing and trading.
"Paul told us that he will sign another contract with another team. Paul has extraordinary talent and is a good two-way player. We are blessed to have spent five years with him... We negotiated with Paul and his representatives for months on a contract that would make sense for both parties"
"But we have a big disagreement... We explored an opt-in and trade scenario, but that would put us in a similar position under the new contract, with little asset value to justify the restrictions. ”
"League sources told Yahoo Sports that Russell Westbrook opted for $4 million for the 2024-25 season, and now the Clippers are looking for a trade for Westbrook. According to sources, the Nuggets are already considering ways to bring in Westbrook. ”
James Harden is actually quite suitable for the current Clippers, and he can be one of the leaders of the team. Moreover, his health problems are not big, much taller than Leonard and Paul George, he also has a certain ability to lead the team, James Harden's contract has been settled, and recently James Harden also said on the show that he will start his China trip again in August this summer.