James Harden's Clippers Future Gets Major Update Linked to Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers took Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets to seven games in the first round of this year's playoffs.

The Nuggets won Game 7 at home in blowout fashion, winning by a final score of 120-101.

The Clippers have never been to the NBA Finals in franchise history.

Leonard joined the team in the summer of 2019 with Paul George.

The two-time Finals MVP has been unable to stay healthy during his time with LAC, although he did finish this year's postseason healthy.

Leonard is under contract with the Clippers for two more seasons.

He becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027 and it appears LAC wants to align Harden with Leonard.

"I just expect James Harden to opt out and get a deal that lines up with Kawhi Leonard," Law Murray of The Athletic said on the Yossi Gozlan Podcast.

"And that would make 2027 the big year to really look at something.

So I think thats really their avenue.

"Youre not paying three stars.

Youre not paying a whole lot for the two that you have.

Like I think Harden might get a little bit more money by opting out, but you look at the cap rising and you look at where I dont think James is going to command so much more that it limits the Clippers that much.

I really just feel like right now its like optimize what you got and revisit this every offseason."Los Angeles Clippers stars James Harden and Kawhi LeonardMatthew Hinton-Imagn Images Murray, who covers the Clippers for The Athletic, expects Harden to decline his 2025-26 player option worth $36.3 million and sign a new deal with LAC.

Harden was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Clippers in 2023 after the 2018 MVP requested a trade from the Sixers.

The Clippers went 26-11 this season when Harden and Leonard played.

Harden averaged 22.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 9.7 assists next to Leonard, while Leonard averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists alongside Harden.

Harden, 35, has never won a championship, while Leonard, 33, is a two-time champion.It will be fascinating to see if Harden can win a title with LAC.

Related: James Harden Doesnt Hold Back After Kawhi Leonard's Big Game in Clippers-Nuggets.

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