The Los Angeles Clippers and guard James Harden “hope to continue their partnership” as the 10-time All-Star heads to free agency, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick and Ro Murray. That's what it means.
However, Amick and Murray added that it is unclear what value Harden will seek in his next contract. That's a big variable considering the Clippers have about $169 million on their books from 2024 to 2025 before considering the 34-year-old.
The signs seem to be pointing toward a reunion, largely because there are few realistic options for both the Clippers and Harden.
Due to the cap situation, Los Angeles won't be able to sign a player to replace Harden's talent if he leaves. The whole idea behind acquiring him in the first place was that the franchise had no other means of acquiring a third star to partner with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
Harden, on the other hand, will likely be looking at a lukewarm market for the second consecutive offseason. There simply aren't that many teams with cash to spend, and those that do are either rebuilding (Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs) or nonsensical contenders (Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma). City Thunder, Orlando). Magic) as a landing point.
Still, finding a middle ground could be difficult for Harden and the Clippers.
The MVP averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists in the 2017-18 season, shooting 38.1 percent from the field. Still, his overall decline on the court continued, finishing yet another season with an underwhelming performance in the playoffs. He scored 23 points on 7-of-28 shooting from the floor in a game that ended the Clippers' first-round elimination with two losses.
The impending move to Intuit Dome makes it difficult for the Clippers to start a rebuild now. Opening up a new arena with Leonard, who is under contract through 2026-2027, and an inferior supporting cast would not be ideal.
Perhaps getting it back with George, Harden and Leonard might be a formula for more heartbreak in the postseason, but there's no better path for the Clippers this summer.