In a swift move, NBA star James Harden has committed to staying with the Los Angeles Clippers, signing a lucrative two-year, $70 million contract, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Harden’s decision to remain in LA follows a strong debut season with the Clippers, where he averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds after being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Meanwhile, the Clippers face another decision as nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George opted out of his contract, exploring potential options with the Clippers, 76ers, and Orlando Magic.
Across the league, NBA free agency is heating up with significant moves underway. Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is reportedly in talks with multiple teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Clippers, possibly through a sign-and-trade deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Additionally, the Golden State Warriors have waived veteran point guard Chris Paul, allowing him to become a free agent for the first time in his career. Paul, 39, swiftly agreed to join the San Antonio Spurs on a one-year, $11 million deal, reported by Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Elsewhere, NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has inked a three-year, $66 million contract with the Orlando Magic, transitioning from the Denver Nuggets, according to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt.
And in other big-man news, Andre Drummond has signed a two-year, $10 million deal to bolster the Philadelphia 76ers’ lineup behind Joel Embiid, while Jonas Valanciunas secured a three-year, $30 million agreement with the Washington Wizards, per Wojnarowski.