Report: James Harden returns to Clippers on two-year, $70M deal

Harden

James Harden is staying home.

The Los Angeles native has opted to re-sign with his hometown Clippers on a new two-year, $70-million deal, The Athletic‘s Shams Charania reported Sunday.

When Harden landed in L.A. via trade just days into the 2023-24 season, it was his third team in three seasons. He settled well into his role as the Clippers’ floor general alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, averaging 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.5 assists through 72 games.

And although the addition of Harden didn’t result in a long post-season run for the Clippers — eliminated by the eventual Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks in the first round — the 10-time All-Star raised his game in the 2024 playoffs, averaging 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists through six games.

The 34-year-old had requested a trade out of Brooklyn in 2022 — breaking up the trio of himself, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant — before spending one year with Philadelphia and then asking out again after not getting a long-term deal.

In what could potentially be his final contract before calling it quits, Harden has chosen to stay put and run it back in his hometown. He and Leonard will headline the Clippers’ move into a new arena in Inglewood, Cali. next season.