It wasn’t the sizable contract James Harden had sought from his previous team but it was enough to make him stay with the Clippers. Harden reportedly agreed to a two-year, $70 million deal Sunday to return to the Clippers. The second year has a player option.
The Athletics’ Shams Charania first reported the signing.
Last fall, Harden sought a max contract from the Philadelphia 76ers but the team balked, causing friction between the future Hall of Fame point guard and Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. Unable to find a way out of the untenable situation, the Sixers traded Harden to the Clippers, where after a shaky start, he was able to fit in alongside stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Thursday that the team wanted to retain Harden, 34.
“We hope he’s had a great experience while he’s been here,” Frank said. “He’s been great in terms of just even the off-season – coming in, working out, coming in two-a-days, getting extra work in. So, we very much want James to remain a Clipper and hope he decides to do the same.”
Once Harden found his footing and the team adjusted to his playmaking abilities, the Clippers went on a 31-8 stretch last season, creating a buzz around the league. He averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 72 games and the Clippers finished fourth in the Western Conference.
In the playoffs, Harden posted 21.1 points, 8.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds a game in the Clippers’ first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks. With Leonard on the bench with a swollen knee, Harden scored 33 points in Game 4.
The Clippers will now look to build around Harden and Leonard, if George signs elsewhere. George, a free agent, is the focus of several teams, such as the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sixers.