James Harden’s Major Habit Could Risk $36M Decision as National Reporter Reveals Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Stance

After the Clippers bagged the fifth seed with a 50-win season, that too with Kawhi Leonard missing the majority of the games due to injury, many wondered—is this the year they finally win it all? Unfortunately, that question was answered within two weeks, as the LA team was sent packing in the first round by the Nuggets. It was a familiar feeling for Clippers fans because this was their third straight first-round exit. And just like every year, it left massive uncertainty around the franchise’s future. Well, Steve Ballmer has a huge decision to make this offseason.

Where do the Clippers go from here?

Of course, it begins with the looming James Harden call. The former MVP has a $36.3 million player option for next season, and will be extension eligible this summer. However, his disappointing Game 7 performance against the Nuggets and constant inability to show up in big playoff moments will surely be something to consider before Ballmer offers him the next deal.

Veteran reporter Chris Mannix highlighted the issue during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, “They’re kind of against a rock and a hard place with James Harden, who can opt out of his contract, and he will probably be looking for a bigger deal. What do you do if you’re the Clippers? Like James Harden; the book has kind of been written about James Harden. I mean, he is a guy that has proven to be a great regular season player, who in the postseason has been dreadful.”

When the Clippers needed him the most, Harden failed to deliver. He had just 7 points in Game 7. Even in his previous Game 7 while he was with the Sixers, James scored just nine points in the 2023 elimination game and crumbled under pressure. So, his habit of choking in the playoffs could stop Ballmer from extending his stay in LA.

“I don’t know what you do there. Like you don’t really have much of a choice but to bring him back because you can’t replace him with somebody else.” Mannix added. Unfortunately, Ballmer’s problems don’t end there because he also has Kawhi Leonard to worry about.

Will Steve Ballmer trade Kawhi Leonard this summer following another failed season?

Even if Ballmer chooses to extend Harden’s contract, he will still need another superstar to carry the load with him. Everyone expected Kawhi to be that player, but a lingering knee injury limited him to playing only 37 games during the regular season. Sure, he showed up in the playoffs and even had a decent showing, averaging 25 points and nearly eight rebounds. But many believe Kawhi’s health cannot be relied on, regardless of how great he is when healthy.

Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1, left) and Kawhi Leonard (right) watch the game against the Utah Jazz from the bench during the fourth quarter at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

As of now, ‘The Klaw’ has two years left on his deal. Will Ballmer consider trading him and starting fresh? Mannix doesn’t think that will be the route he takes. “I don’t know if it’s on the table. I don’t think Steve Ballmer wants to do that. I mean Steve Ballmer has invested $2 billion in that arena which is the best arena in the NBA, I think unquestionably… I don’t think Steve Ballmer wants to go through a rebuild. Not with Kawhi still playing at a high level.”

Yes, Ballmer just relocated the Clippers to the Intuit Dome, and he would not want the franchise’s early years in that multi-billion-dollar arena to be spent in a rebuild. So, trading Kawhi seems out of the question, at least for now. However, Mannix believes that could be a choice Ballmer ends up regretting in the future.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. Are you really expecting something different from Kawhi in terms of his health and James Harden in terms of his postseason performance? If you are, I think you’re wrong,” he promptly noted, giving it to Steve straight.

It has been six years since Ballmer acquired Kawhi, and the two-time champ has had little to no success with the franchise. Even Harden seems to be having the same issue. So, why would next year be any different? Despite the looming question, Clippers GM Lawrence Frank seems to have complete faith in the two superstars: “If you have two top-15 players… I definitely believe in those two.” Do you think they should give this Harden and Kawhi-led roster another shot?

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