Clippers Expected to Pursue Trades After Harden Contract Decision

The Los Angeles Clippers face a critical offseason focused on securing James Harden's contract, whose continuation with the team is seen as pivotal given his strong performance alongside Kawhi Leonard. Harden, who has a player option for the 2025-26 season and is 35 years old, has been a primary scorer for the Clippers and an essential part of their playoff runs, though the team has suffered first-round exits in recent years. The Clippers are also exploring potential trades to bolster their roster, with interest in acquiring players like Utah Jazz's Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, or Keyonte George to enhance their offense. Additionally, a bold pursuit of LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets is under consideration, which could allow Harden to shift back to a scoring role and significantly reshape the team's dynamics. These moves reflect the Clippers' ambition to transition from playoff participants to championship contenders by aligning contracts and improving their roster depth. The outcomes of these negotiations and trades will be crucial in determining the Clippers' trajectory heading into the 2025 season.