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James Harden’s contract details: How much money does he make, and how many years left?

The Philadelphia 76ers have finally granted the trade of James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers, thus ending the saga surrounding his status.

Svetozar Pavlović
Svetozar Pavlovićceletozasveta
James Harden, #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers
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James Harden will open the 2023-2024 season playing for the Los Angeles Clippers on an expiring contract that pays him $35,640,000 for a year of work. The latest trade deal between the Clippers and the Sixers has brought James Harden, PJ Tucker, Filip Petrusev, and a future first-round pick to the Clippers.

At the same time, the Sixers have received Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr., the 2028 first-round pick (unprotected), one first-round pick swap, and two future second-round picks. As part of the deal, the Sixers will also waive veteran guard Danny Green. Initially, the Sixers had shown interest in acquiring Terance Mann, but the Clippers did not have to give him up.

Although James Harden is approaching his 34th birthday, he is set to become the 28th highest-paid player in the NBA with his new contract. Surprisingly, Harden will earn less than some players next season, such as C.J. McCollum, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Fred VanVleet.

Harden’s trade request from the Philadelphia 76ers was primarily due to his dissatisfaction with his current contract. After taking a $15 million pay cut last season so Philly could sign role players P.J. Tucker and Daniel House in free agency, Harden hoped the Sixers would reward him with a long-term deal. However, league rules strictly prohibit any agreement requiring a player to take less now for more in the future. This could be one of the reasons why Harden called Sixers president Daryl Morey a liar during a recent trip to China.

Harden could have quickly become the NBA’s highest-paid player by locking in at a specific number. However, he chose to turn it down and left $15 million on the table in an attempt to help his team.

How it started with the Nets

The Brooklyn Nets offered James Harden a $161 million extension, but he declined to become eligible for a $227 million offer the following year. Later, he grew frustrated with the Nets and pushed for a trade to Philadelphia. Despite his arrival, the Sixers were eliminated in the playoffs, and Harden opted out of his $47.3 million player option. He signed a two-year deal worth $33 million in the first year, with a player option for the second year.