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The Los Angeles Clippers are heading into the 2024 offseason with a few big decisions to make. They recently came to an agreement on a contract extension with head coach Tyronn Lue, ensuring Lue is at the helm for the next five seasons. One of those big decisions coming up for the Clippers is the free agent status of James Harden. In the meantime, Harden recently appeared on a video segment while in Italy for the Adidas Eurocamp where he detailed how he wanted to be remembered once his NBA career is over.
“That I was a winner, that I was a teacher. I had a different love for the game,” Harden said. “Put the money aside, I really enjoy and love the game of basketball and playing it. Whether it's being with the kids here or when I travel to other places in Europe, when I go to China, I just want people to understand how much I really love and enjoy the game of basketball.”
The 2017-18 NBA MVP and a ten-time All-Star, Harden has quite the resume under his belt. Whenever he decides to retire, he will most definitely be a Hall of Fame selection even if he never manages to win an NBA championship.
Harden was originally drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He played three seasons with the Thunder helping lead them to the 2012 NBA Finals before being traded to the Houston Rockets. Harden has also played for the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Clippers have looming James Harden free agency in offseason
James Harden just completed his first season with the Clippers after the acquired him in a trade with the 76ers a few days into the 2023-24 NBA season. Harden's relationship with 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey had soured and he had requested a trade. He now will hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career.
Harden appeared in 72 games for the Clippers at a little over 34 minutes per game. He averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.1 steals with splits of 42.8 percent shooting from the field, 38.1 percent shooting from the three-point line and 87.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
Harden was arguably the Clippers most consistent player during their first round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocked shots with splits of 44.9 percent shooting from the field, 38.3 percent shooting from the three-point line and 90.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
Harden was traded to the 76ers ahead of the 2021-22 season. He ended up signing a two-year contract extension with the 76ers that offseason with a player option for the 2023-24 season. He opted in to his contract last offseason even though his demands to be traded were already made public.
Harden had a major impact on the Clippers lineup last season. Although the team struggled in the initial aftermath of the trade, they ended up figuring things out and finishing with a top-four record in the Western Conference playoff picture.
