On June 30, according to multiple US media reports, including a joint report by SleeperRockets, Shot Coverage and ESPN, Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden will decline to exercise his $36.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season. He is expected to re-sign a new two-year contract with the Clippers after the free market opens.

Well-known NBA reporter Shams Charania followed up and confirmed that although Harden chose to opt out of his current contract and become a completely free agent, he has no intention of changing clubs and will still give priority to renewing his contract with the Clippers. In the latest labor agreement, because Harden is over 38 years old, according to the " veteran contract restriction clause " , he can only sign a new contract for a period of two years with a total value of approximately $ 81.5 million.

According to league sources, the final year of the new contract to be signed will be partially guaranteed and come with a player option, giving Harden some flexibility while also ensuring the Clippers' operational flexibility in future salary space.

This past season, Harden continued to show his stable and efficient all-around skills. In the 2024-25 season, he played 79 regular season games for the Clippers, averaging 35.3 minutes per game , with comprehensive data of 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals, shooting 41.0% and 35.2% from three-point range . This performance not only helped the Clippers maintain their competitiveness in the West, but also allowed Harden to be selected as an All-Star again, returning to the stage after two years, proving that he is still one of the league's top point guards at the age of 38 .

The Clippers are willing to continue to work with Harden, in addition to his output and organizational ability on the court, his tacit understanding with the team's core players is also seen as an important part of the championship layout. Considering the health fluctuations of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George , Harden's stable attendance and control ability are even more important.

Harden's initiative to opt out of the player option this time is not to pursue a higher-term or larger contract, but to cooperate with the team's flexible strategy of reorganizing space, and also to demonstrate his continued investment in the Clippers' championship goal.