Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden has declined his $36.3-million player option for the 2025-26 campaign and intends to sign a new two-year, $81.5-million deal with the team, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Harden averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists in his second season with the Clippers in 2024-25 to earn All-NBA third-team honors and the eighth All-NBA selection of his career.
Los Angeles acquired the former MVP from the Philadelphia 76ers in November 2023. Harden signed a two-year, $70-million deal last offseason with the Clippers, which included a 2025-26 player option that he ultimately declined.
At 35, the three-time scoring leader is past his prime but continues to find new ways to impact games. Now an elite playmaker, Harden has averaged at least 8.5 assists per contest over the last five seasons.
An 11-time All-Star entering his 17th NBA campaign, Harden ranks second in NBA history for 3-pointers made (3,175) behind Stephen Curry.
Harden has also made the postseason every year he's been in the league but hasn't won an NBA title. However, remaining in L.A. keeps him paired with two-time champ Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers fell in Round 1 in seven games to the Denver Nuggets this past postseason.
