Why James Harden is the superstar the Los Angeles Clippers need

James Harden needed the Los Angeles Clippers a few years ago, and it turns out that the Clippers also needed the superstar.

via: ClutchPoints

Los Angeles, Calif. -- When Norman Powell was traded in early July, James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers had a clear vacancy at the shooting guard position.

Losing a 3-pointer who averages 20 points per game and one of the best shooters in the league is not a role that can be easily replaced, especially for a team with limited assets but trying to compete for the NBA championship.

Powell is a key role in the Clippers' 50-game winning season, averaging more than 24 points per game, shooting 50% from the field and 43% from three-pointers in the first 45 games of the NBA All-Star Game.

This is the second time Harden has helped the Clippers off the court this summer, and the rewards it brings may grow exponentially.

James Harden became the superstar the Clippers have always needed

Since arriving in Los Angeles, James Harden's loyalty to the Clippers has never wavered. During the free agent period in 2024, Harden's position did not change anyway when Paul George's contract status was pending and he could lose him in vain.

Even before George finally decided to leave, Harden made it clear that he intended to stay in Los Angeles. The 11-time All-Star player soon reached a deal with the Clippers in the free market, where he wanted to stay. More specifically, this is where Harden envisions building his immortal achievements, especially in the battle for the championship.

George finally chose to leave, but this allowed the Clippers to introduce players such as Jones Jr., Batum and Dunn. It turned out to be the right decision, and George was injured, which led to the Sixers' ultimate missing the playoffs, while the Clippers successfully added real lineup depth and made up for George's departure through overall strength.

This summer is no exception.

This summer, Harden chose to waive the second year of his contract and agreed to a two-year, $81.5 million contract to return to the Clippers shortly after the free agent market opened.

Harden's annual revenue increased from $35 million to just over $40 million in this new contract. This is a good salary increase for the defender, who had just recovered from form after spending several relatively quiet seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets.

Although Harden could have fought for more, his acceptance of the contract allowed the Clippers to make the most of its middle-class special clause worth about $14.1 million this summer.

Although it was not clear which candidates were available for the Clippers to choose from when the contract was reached, Harden believed that the Clippers would continue to build a lineup with championship-winning strength around him, Leonard and Zubac.

Clippers' demand for height

During the 2025 playoffs, the Clippers lost their seventh game against the Denver Nuggets and were eliminated in the first round. In those seven games, the Clippers won only once in the rebounding battle, showing their obvious lack of size, while the Nuggets have repeatedly sent strong inside squads led by Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. to put heavy pressure on them.

Therefore, the Clippers' first offseason move was to sign Brooke Lopez in the free market. Admittedly, he is no longer the best sports player at the moment, but in the league he is indeed a qualified starter, basket protector and shooter, and will now become a reliable reserve big man choice behind Zubac.

At that time, as the free market approached, it was generally expected that Lopez would join the Lakers and the possibility of returning to the Milwaukee Bucks still existed. He is indeed a promising option for the Clippers, although he is reportedly not the Clippers' first choice.

At that time, LeBron James' agent Ritchie Paul's remarks about the superstar's future exacerbated the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers, according to a league source to tell ClutchPoints.

The idea of the center's possible return to the Bucks has also failed, as Damian Lillard's future is uncertain due to the ACL tear, and their roster cannot ensure a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.

Lopez turned 37 in April and still can play at a high level and hopes to join a competitive team to play another game in the NBA championship game. Within hours after the free agent market opened, Lopez and the Clippers agreed on a two-year contract worth $18 million, the Clippers' first big move in the offseason.

About a week after the agreement was reached, they would leave a balance of about $5.3 million from the middle class special case, and the Clippers finally completed a deal to send Norman Powell to the Miami Heat and bring in John Collins from the Utah Jazz.

Collins just spent the second best season in his NBA career, averaging 19 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, shooting 52.7% from the field and 40% from three-pointers.

He has been playing for the Jazz, who made it clear in the last few trade deadlines in February that they will give up the rest of the season.

Through this move, the Clippers have successfully introduced a player with excellent athleticism and a big man, who has repeatedly rumored trade rumors with the Clippers in the past few years.. Both sides are looking forward to a long-term partnership in the future, but this will largely depend on how Bill and his Clippers perform this season.

By signing Chris Paul, the Clippers ended their offseason, which welcomed four new players, and 11 versatile and starter players will enter training camp in September.

Although this offseason effort is the result of collective collaboration, it is inseparable from the creativity of Lawrence Frank, Trent Rayden and the team's management, and the care and enthusiasm of boss Steve Ballmer, all this would not have been achieved without the superstars who have achieved great success like Harden, endorse the Clippers and make it a real destination.

Just as James Harden needed the Clippers a few years ago after his previous bad experience with the Nets and the Sixers, it turns out that Harden is also the superstar needed by the Clippers.