Report: James Harden Plans To Sign 2-Year, $70 Million Contract To Return To Clippers

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, James Harden plans to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. 

James Harden plans to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Harden’s agents – Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports – have been working with Clippers officials to finalize new deal. pic.twitter.com/dRYRS9roL9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

Harden averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 42.8% from the field, 38.1% from beyond the arc and 87.8% from the free-throw line. The lefty requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Clippers. 

One of the best scorers in NBA history, Harden has career averages of 24.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Sixers and Clippers. He won the 2017-18 MVP Award. 

During an interview with NBA reporter Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype, Harden said Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is his “GOAT.”

“I mean, there was only one person who made me love, I mean fall in love with the game, and that’s Kobe Bryant,” James Harden said. “Being from LA and being a Lakers fan watching him grow up and win several championships and his passion and love and what he did for the game of basketball, I think the world, you know, feels the same way, but that’s why I started playing basketball. The skill set and things that I’ve learned, I kind of picked up on my own, but as far as falling in love with the game, it’s definitely been Kobe.”

Harden was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He grew up watching Bryant dominate the NBA with the Lakers. 

Harden told BasketNews he wants to be remembered as a “winner.” The Beard has never won a title, but he does have a record of 697-375 in the regular season. 

“That I was a winner, that I was a teacher,” Harden said. “That I had a different love for the game. I mean like, put the money aside, I really enjoy and love the game of basketball and playing it. Whether it’s being with the kids here or when I travel (to) other places in Europe, when I go to China, I just want people to understand how much I really love and enjoy the game of basketball.”