James Harden holds a $36.3 million player option for the 2025–26 season, and while he’s widely expected to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, he may do so under a new contract structure.
According to league insiders, Harden could opt to decline his option in favor of negotiating a longer-term deal that provides both security and strategic alignment with the Clippers’ broader roster timeline.
For LA, such a move could be mutually beneficial. Harden’s new contract could be structured to line up with the remaining years on Kawhi Leonard’s current deal, which runs through the 2026–27 season.
Synchronizing the contracts of the team’s two veteran stars could give the Clippers more control over the next phase of their franchise’s development, while also positioning them for maximum flexibility once that window closes.
Looking ahead to the summer of 2027, the Clippers’ salary books are remarkably clean. With only Ivica Zubac under guaranteed contract by that point, LA could be sitting on more than $100 million in cap space.
That scenario would set the stage for a significant roster reset – possibly the beginning of a post-Leonard and Harden era.
In the short term, Harden has proven to be a vital part of the Clippers’ success. He was named an All-Star in his first full season with the team and has played a stabilizing role, particularly given Leonard’s ongoing injury issues.
His chemistry with center Ivica Zubac in pick-and-roll situations has also emerged as one of the Clippers’ most dependable offensive weapons.
A new deal would likely solidify Harden’s role as a cornerstone of the Clippers’ immediate plans, while giving the front office the financial clarity it needs to plan for what comes next.
Clippers Could Line Up Contracts For James Harden, Kawhi Leonard This Offseason https://t.co/2gIMig2Tgg
— RealGM (@RealGM) May 11, 2025
