NBA salary experts interpret Clippers star Harden s 2-year salary contract extension

On July 8, NBA salary experts interpreted the Clippers star Harden renewed his two-year salary contract of $81.5 million: he can get a full guaranteed salary of $39.2 million in the first year, which is nearly $2 million higher than his refusal to execute the player option contract for next season's player option. And the media's widespread doubt that Harden was only guaranteed salary of $13.3 million in the second year, which is actually a misunderstanding.

Salary experts believe that although the Clippers limited their salary for Harden in the second year, his total salary for the following year was $42.3 million, which was mainly caused by Leonard and Paul George's more cautious in the contract that year. In fact, Harden can easily get about 85% of his total salary in the second year:

1. The contract stipulates that Harden can get 70% of his total salary in the second year when he plays 50 games in the new season, which is almost easy for Harden, who rarely misses his career;

2. In addition, the Clippers will get 15% of his total salary in the second year again. Although the Western Conference Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers and other teams have all signed and upgraded in the offseason this year, the Clippers also signed Lopez and continue to recruit substitute point guards and substitute forwards. Therefore, if the Clippers maintain a complete lineup in the 2026-2027 season to advance to the playoffs, it is not any problem.

3. If the Clippers finally advance to the Western Conference Semi-finals, Harden will all get 15% of the remaining total salary in the second year. This incentive clause is beneficial to Harden and the whole team. After all, their goal is to sprint for the championship. If the Western Conference Semi-finals cannot advance, Harden will also lose about $6.35 million. However, he has completed the above other clauses to ensure that he will get 85% of the total salary in the second year, totaling $36 million!

4. Harden also has a player option contract for the second year. This is the free choice space given to him by the Clippers. If Harden still does not see hope for the championship in the new season, he can jump out of the contract and resume his freedom next summer, and then choose a team he likes to get a two-year retirement contract, which will not affect the Clippers' total salary space in the summer of 2026 to continue to sign ups and upgrade or rebuild.