Report: Clippers' James Harden Trending Towards Declining Player Option for 2025-26 Season
Before the Los Angeles Clippers can begin looking to improve their roster this offseason, they have a key player currently on their team whose contract situation needs to play out.
Advertisement
Star guard James Harden only has a player option for the 2025-26 season left on his current contract.
That option is worth $36.35 million for next season and fans have been waiting to see if Harden will pick it up.
Los Angeles Clippers Guard James HardenRon Chenoy-Imagn Images
The answer is beginning to become more clear based on a recent report.
According to Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto, Harden is "leaning towards" declining the option.
Scotto added that Harden and the Clippers are still interested in keeping Harden in LA and a new deal would likely keep him with the team of the next two seasons to line up with the time remaining on Kawhi Leonard's contract.
Harden is coming off of a season for the Clippers where he earned All-NBA Third Team honors.
Advertisement
He averaged 22.8 points per game, 8.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game during the regular season.
Harden also put together a decent defensive season, which hasn't always been the case in his career.
By declining his player option, he'll be looking to turn his 2024-25 performance into a bit of a pay bump and a longer commitment from the Clippers.
If the Clippers are going to keep themselves hanging around the top of the Western Conference, they'll need to work out a deal to keep Harden around as there aren't many realistic options out there for them to acquire a player of his caliber.
Related: Clippers Rumored to Be 'Hunting a Name' This Offseason
Related: Clippers Predicted to Draft Prospect Who Has Been Compared to a Player Already on Their Roster
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
29 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck to undergo Tommy John surgery
Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck's attempt to come back this season is over. Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Houck will undergo Tommy John surgery. An All-Star last season, the 29-year-old Houck went on the injured list in mid-May with a right flexor strain after going 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA in nine starts. 'Tanner's going to have Tommy John surgery,' Cora said before the Red Sox faced the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. 'He went to see Dr. Meister there in Texas and that was the recommendation,' Cora said. 'We don't have a date yet, but he's going to have it." Houck had a strong 2024 season, finishing seventh in the American League with a 3.12 ERA in 30 starts, but was only able to make five rehab appearances after going on the IL. 'Tough year for him, tough year for us,' Cora said of the season-ending news. 'But he'll kill the rehab, he'll do his job, and when he comes back, he's going to be OK.' Houck earned his first All-Star appearance by going 8-6 with a 2.54 ERA in the first half. He struggled after the break, going 1-4 with a 4.23 ERA. He worked an inning at the All-Star Game in Texas last year, giving up three hits including a homer to Shohei Ohtani. He's the third Boston starting pitcher to suffer a season-ending injury. Hunter Dobbins tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee covering first base last month and Kutter Crawford underwent right wrist surgery. The team hopes the pickup of righty Dustin May at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers will bolster the staff. He's expected to make his first start for the Red Sox on Wednesday at Fenway. 'It was definitely a ride of emotions, up and down,' said May, sitting in the dugout on Saturday of being dealt to Boston. 'Sad leaving because I've been there my whole career, but very, very excited to be joining this organization.' May knew his days as a starter with the Dodgers were likely coming to an end this season with a few starters expected to come off the injured list. 'I was kid of pushed out,' he said. 'We've got quite a few guys there in that organization. I couldn't be more excited and thrilled to be here and be a part of it.' ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
USA Today
29 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former NFL LB says battling 49ers' superstar made him question his football future
San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams has been one of the best players at his position in the league since Washington took him in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 2010 NFL draft after earning All-Big 12 honors twice and All-American honors once at Oklahoma. Williams was named a starter right away in Washington and made the Pro Bowl every year there from 2012-18. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors once (2015). Washington traded Williams to San Francisco in 2020, and he's made another four Pro Bowls and has earned All-Pro honors three times. While Williams' legendary play on the field is discussed regularly around the league, it's always interesting to hear a player talk about what it's like to try to pass rush against the former Sooner. Former NFL linebacker Jonathan Casillas did just that in a recent appearance on "The Champ and the Tramp" podcast earlier this week. "Y'all know Trent Williams? The left tackle? [Expletive] beast," Casillas said. "All week long, I know I'm going against Trent. Most tackles, I can beat because I'm faster and slicker than them. I can't beat Trent. He's too quick, and he's dirty. So, he's gonna grab me or push me, and I'm screwed because I'm not that big. He's got me by 100 pounds... That week, I know I have to go at him. I got to go into him, like boom and then go. So, during the game, I'm getting him. We're going at it. I'm banging with him. Then, after the game, I'm on the flight, and I can't turn my neck. This was the first time that my brain was like 'What the [expletive] are you doing?'" Lining up against Williams in the trenches seems like hell, and it's no wonder that he had players contemplating their future in football after playing a full game against him. Williams missed seven games in 2024, and if the 49ers want to reach their potential in 2025, they'll need Williams to not only be on the field but also need him to play like the 11-time Pro Bowler he is. He's already guaranteed a spot in Canton five years after he calls it a career, but continuing to play well into his late 30s will only add to his legendary resume. More 49ers: Why 49ers top draft pick has already impressed his new coach
NBC Sports
30 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Antonio Gates makes history, becoming Hall of Famer despite not playing college football
Antonio Gates made history Saturday, becoming the first player without playing college football to earn induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gates, 45, will have a bust in Canton forever after 16 seasons with the Chargers, 116 receiving touchdowns, eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nods. After thanking dozens of people who helped him on his journey, Gates shared his story from the hardwood to the football field. 'Out of nowhere, coach Rob Murphy introduced me to a guy named Tim Brewster,' Gates said. 'Tim Brewster, at the time, was the tight ends coach for the San Diego Chargers. Tim Brewster saw something in me. He would come and watch me play basketball, but he was confident I'd be an All-Pro tight end in three years. 'Switching sports can be a life-changing experience. The unexpected opportunities are often the most powerful ones, because they can completely redirect your life — if you're ready to take advantage of the opportunity. To coach Tim Brewster, thank you. And to the late, great Marty Schottenheimer and his family, thank you, because you gave me the opportunity to play tight end in the NFL. Because of you, now NFL teams and scouts will never look at college basketball players the same again.' Gates spoke to anyone wanting to escape street gangs, violence or drugs. He called himself 'living proof' that if you 'stay disciplined, stay on the right path, if you've got heart, if you hustle and you never stop believing, then anything is possible.' He ended his 23-minute, 45-second speech offering hope that teamwork and respect can extend beyond the field to make America a better place. 'Football is the ultimate team game, and I didn't get here alone,' Gates said. 'I'm standing here today because of the people who poured into me. What I've learned through it all is a kid coming from Detroit to San Diego to LA, had it not been for sports, I probably never would have crossed paths with half of you. That's why sports is a reminder to us as humans that we are not as divided as people may believe. We are more than just black or white or rich or poor. That's why it's important to keep pushing for unity to make this country a better place.'
