James Harden, Clippers accept a two -year agreement, $ 81.5 million to keep the beard in Los Angeles

James Harden had an all-nba season for the Clippers, transporting their offense-with Paul George on the eastern coast and Kawhi Leonard hurt at the first part of the season-with an average of 22.8 points and 8.7 Asissts at a game, bringing the team to 50 wins and a draw for 3/4/5 seeds in the West (the Clippers were the fifth seed based on the basis of based on the basis Marcers and in the first round of Denver).

Harden also had an option of $ 36.7 million for the next season, but he is shooting him to sign a two -year contract of 81.5 million dollars to stay with the clippers, a story Break by Shams Charania by Espn and quickly confirmed by others. The second year of that contract is partially guaranteed and includes a mutual option, which means that if Harden exerts the option (which seems likely), the clippers can give up but support a dead blow for the guaranteed part.

This was expected. They needed each other and had no other place to turn. Harden was the heart of the offense of the Clippers last season and they need it to play again at that level to be competitive next season. For Harden, there was no free agents market for him (only Brooklyn would have had the limit space to sign it close to the price he is wondering, and is reconstructed, not looking for players who will be 36 years old at the beginning of next season).

The clippers wanted him back, but with a short -term agreement. Now, Harden and Kawhi Leonard have each remained two years on their contracts, as well as any other rotation player in the roster, outside Ivica Zubac, who remains for three years. The clippers prepared for a pin in a couple of seasons (perhaps one, since they could start trying to exchange players with agreements expiring next summer).

The Clippers have more business to do this summer: Nicolas Batum has given up his option of $ 4.9 million for the next season. The clippers would like and expected to sign it, but this will cost a little more than what it would do.