LOS ANGELES — James Harden plans to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, agreeing to a two-year, $81.5 million contract, according to multiple reports Saturday.
The deal, which cannot be officially signed until the NBA’s free agency moratorium ends July 6, includes a player option for the second year. Harden declined his $35.6 million player option earlier this week to become an unrestricted free agent.
Harden, 34, averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 72 games last season, helping the Clippers reach the playoffs before falling to the Denver Nuggets in the first round. The 10-time All-Star also earned All-NBA Third Team honors, marking his first All-NBA selection since 2020.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank had identified retaining Harden as the team’s top priority this offseason. The new deal gives the Clippers additional salary cap flexibility, allowing them to potentially use the $14.1 million mid-level exception to improve the roster.
Harden joined the Clippers in a trade from Philadelphia in November 2023. With Harden expected to re-sign, Los Angeles aims to keep its core of Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George intact for another postseason run.