NBA Report: Clippers top key man Resigns for $70 Million

NBA free agency is in full swing. In LA, James Harden, a top player in the market, has quickly re-signed with the Clippers. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Harden has agreed to a two-year, $70 million contract with the team.

Harden chose to remain with the Clippers after a strong first season in Los Angeles, where he averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.

This rapid re-signing happened shortly after Paul George, a nine-time NBA All-Star, opted out of his contract with the Clippers on Saturday night. George is exploring options with the Clippers, 76ers, and Orlando Magic.

Elsewhere in the league, free agency has been slower, with major moves still pending. Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is reportedly in “discussions” with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Clippers, potentially through a sign-and-trade, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Thompson’s father, Mychal, played for the Lakers from 1987 to 1991.

Just before free agency began, Wojnarowski also reported that the Warriors would waive point guard Chris Paul, making him a free agent for the first time in his career. Within hours, Paul, 39, agreed to join the San Antonio Spurs on a one-year, $11 million deal, first reported by Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.

To start things off, the first major move in free agency saw two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sign a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic after two seasons with the Denver Nuggets, according to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt.

In case you missed it, journeyman Andre Drummond signed a two-year, $10 million contract to back up Joel Embiid in Philadelphia, where he spent part of the 2021-22 season. Fellow big man Jonas Valanciunas reached a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards, as reported by Wojnarowski on Sunday night.