NBA: James Harden returning to Clippers on 2-year, $70M deal -- reports

James Harden intends to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple reports on Sunday.

Harden reportedly will own a player option for the second season of the deal, according to The Athletic.

Harden averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 72 games last season in his first campaign with the Clippers.

The 10-time All-Star meshed better with Kawhi Leonard than Paul George. On Saturday, George declined his player option to become a free agent.

The Clippers acquired Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers shortly after the start of last season in a three-team trade that also included the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden had sought a trade after having a financial dispute and subsequent fallout with 76ers general manager Daryl Morey.

Harden was the 2017-18 NBA MVP and a three-time scoring champion during his eight-plus seasons with the Houston Rockets. He averaged a career-best 36.1 points in 2018-19.

The Rockets traded a disgruntled Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021. Just 12-plus months later, the Nets shipped Harden to the 76ers.

Harden played his first three seasons with the Thunder before being dealt to the Rockets shortly before the start of the 2012-13 season.

Harden has career averages of 24.1 points, 7.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 1,072 games over 15 NBA seasons.

--Field Level Media