Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and the Clippers of Los Angeles took Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets to seven video games within the first spherical of the qualifiers for this 12 months. The Nuggets gained the sport 7 Trendy Eruption house, 120-101.
The Clippers by no means went to the NBA ultimate. Leonard joined the crew in the summertime of 2019 with Paul George. The MVP twice from the finals couldn’t stay wholesome throughout his stick with Los Angeles, though he completed the sequence of this 12 months.
Commercial
Leonard is beneath contract with the mowers For 2 extra seasons. He grew to become a free agent with out restriction in the summertime of 2027, and it appears that evidently the mowers wish to align to harden with Leonard.
“I count on James Harden to withdraw and get an settlement that aligns with Kawhi Leonard,” mentioned the Murray regulation of athletics Yossi Gozlan Podcast. “And it could do in 2027 the large 12 months to essentially take a look at one thing. So I believe it is actually their avenue.
“You don’t pay three stars. You do not pay a lot for each you’ve got. As I believe Harden might get a bit more cash by deactivating you, however you take a look at the cap and also you look the place I do not suppose James will optimize what you’ve got achieved and re -examine this proasion.”
Los Angeles Clippers options James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Murray, who covers the mower for athletics, waits Harden to refuse your participant choice 2025-26 value $ 36.3 million and signal a brand new settlement with Los Angeles. Harden was handled by the 76ers of Philadelphia to the Clippers in 2023 after the 2018 MVP requested for a job.
Commercial
The Clippers went 26-11 this season when Harden and Leonard performed collectively. Harden collected a median of twenty-two.9 factors, 5.2 rebounds and 9.7 assists subsequent to Leonard, whereas Leonard collected a median of 21.5 factors, 5.9 rebounds and three.1 assists alongside Harden.
Harden, 35, has by no means gained a championship, whereas Leonard, 33, is a double champion. He gained the title 2014 as a member of the San Antonio Spurs and the Crown 2019 with the Raptors of Toronto.
It will likely be fascinating to see if Harden can win a title with lake.
