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James Harden, the man with more addresses than a traveling circus, is staying put-for now. The bearded wonder has inked a two-year, $70-million deal with the LA Clippers, as per league sources according to ESPN and The Athletic,
The ink wasn't even dry before the Clippers and Harden made it official. Perhaps it had something to do with Paul George's impending meetings with the Clippers, Sixers, and Magic, creating a sense of urgency. George's future is murky, but Harden's is crystal clear-at least for the next two years.
Remember late October? The Clippers took a gamble on Harden, trading for him and hoping he'd pull them out of their 3-7 start. The gamble paid off. Harden, shaking off the rust, helped propel the team to the top of the Western Conference standings by early February with a dazzling 34-15 record. Not too shabby for a guy many thought was past his prime.
Harden, the pride of Los Angeles, couldn't stop gushing about playing at home all season. It's as if the prodigal son had returned, and he didn't disappoint. At 34, he averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists in 72 games-a workload he hadn't handled since his Houston days.
"James has been terrific for us," said Lawrence Frank, Clippers' president of basketball operations, just last Thursday. "He had a terrific season... He's been great, even in the offseason, working out, doing two-a-days, getting extra work in."
The rocky road to LA: Harden's tumultuous journey and renewed role
Harden's journey to LA was anything but smooth. A very public spat with Daryl Morey, the Sixers' president of basketball operations, saw him demanding a trade. It was his third team change in under three years, following his star-studded stint with the Rockets, where he was an MVP and redefined NBA offense.
While the days of Harden dropping 30 every night might be over, he's far from washed up. Playing alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, he transformed into a pick-and-roll maestro and a reliable 3-point shooter. Last season, he ranked second in the NBA in points per isolation and attempted 153 catch-and-shoot threes-his most since the 2017-18 season.
Harden's 72 games played last season were the most he's managed since 2018-19, showing he still has the stamina. He was crucial in the Clippers' first-round battle against the Mavericks, especially when Leonard was sidelined with a knee injury. Harden stepped up, averaging 21.2 points and 8.0 assists, but the Clippers fell short.