Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

James Harden Rejects Player Option, Intends to Sign Two-Year $81.5 Million Contract With LA Clippers

Harden has declined his player option worth $36.7 million with the Clippers.

Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Clippers’ veteran shooting guard James Harden has reportedly rejected his player option. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Harden has declined his player option worth $36.7 million in order to sign a two-year $81.5 million deal to remain with the Clippers. Notably, the second year of the deal is partially guaranteed and includes a mutual option. It means that if Harden opts for the option, the Clippers could waive him, but will incur a dead cap hit for the guaranteed portion.

Notably, Harden was the heart of the Clippers’ offense last season, and he recorded an average of 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, which was his 16th year in the league. Harden was named an All-Star for the 11th time and earned a spot on the All-NBA team for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

Currently, he ranks second in the all-time list of career 3-pointers made with 3,175, trailing only Golden State Warriors’ superstar Steven Curry, who tops charts with 4,058.

BREAKING: 11-time NBA All-Star James Harden is declining his player option and intends to sign a new two-year, $81.5 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qQMwkkMjMs
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025

Julius Randle Agrees to Sign A Three-Year Deal with Minnesota Timberwolves Worth $100 Million

Breaking: Three-time NBA all-star Julius Randle intends to sign a new three-year, $100M deal to stay with the Timberwolves, sources tell @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/4h9DyscSPD
— ESPN (@espn) June 29, 2025

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, Julius Randle has decided to sign a new deal worth $100 million with the franchise. Randle had a player option worth $30.9 million, making him one of the top available forwards in the free-agent market. He was traded on the eve of the 2024-25 campaign, and turned it into a stronger year for the Timberwolves. He averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 32.3 minutes per game.

As per the new deal, Randle, a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection during his time with the Knicks, will be with the club through the 2027-28 season. He will have a player option in the final year of the deal. If it is exercised, it would push the value of the contract to $100 million. Before the Timberwolves, he was with the Knicks for five seasons, where he averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 330 games.

James Harden

Los Angeles Clippers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.