James Harden is opting out of his $36.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, choosing instead to ink a fresh two-year, $81.5 million contract. This new deal, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, comes with a twist: the second year includes a player option that’s only partially guaranteed if Harden decides to stay.
If you’ve been following Harden’s career moves since the 2022 free agency, you’d know he’s sticking to a familiar script with these one-plus-one deals, where the second year includes a player option. How his cap hit for the 2025-26 season shapes up will be crucial for the Clippers, especially as they navigate their offseason plans and look to bolster their lineup.
Harden, set to celebrate his 36th birthday at the end of August, played 79 games last season with some impressive stats to show for it—averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, all while shooting .410/.352/.872 from the field during 35.3 minutes of action. His talent wasn’t overlooked, earning him an 11th All-Star recognition and landing a spot on the All-NBA Third Team for the eighth time.
With Kawhi Leonard sidelined for the first part of the season, Harden took the reins and proved his worth as the central figure in the Clippers’ offense, particularly in the wake of Paul George’s absence. His collaboration with Ivica Zubac worked wonders too, with Zubac benefiting from Harden’s skillful execution of pick-and-roll plays and attaining a career-best season.
The Clippers managed a solid 50-32 record, which secured them the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. However, their playoff journey came to a halt at the hands of Denver, who edged them out in a gripping seven-game first-round series.
A native of Los Angeles, Harden has long been pegged to stay with the Clippers, whether by picking up his option or opting for a new contract altogether. His decision to sign the new deal positions him for potential free agency again in 2026.
For both parties, this move is a win-win. With the Nets being the only team with significant cap space and standing firm against any reunion talks with Harden given his stage in his career, his leverage was limited. On the flip side, the Clippers couldn’t afford to lose his scoring and play-making capabilities, especially given his durability throughout his 16-year career. With a partially guaranteed contract for the 2026-27 season, the Clippers have some cushioning in case of unforeseen injuries or a possible dip in Harden’s performance.
