Clippers' Roster, Salary Cap amid James Harden, Jones Jr. Contracts and PG13 Exit
The Los Angeles Clippers' roster has undergone some significant changes since the start of free agency on Sunday.
L.A. started by re-signing veteran guard James Harden to a two-year, $70 million deal, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. Per Charania, Harden's new contract includes a player option for the second year as well.
The Clippers followed that up by signing forward Derrick Jones Jr. to a three-year, $30 million contract in free agency, according to Charania.
However, the biggest move involving the Clippers was a departure, as nine-time All-Star Paul George left the organization Monday morning, signing a four-year, $212 million maximum deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
With Harden staying, Jones arriving and George leaving, here is a look as the Clips' roster as it currently stands:
- Kawhi Leonard (SF)
- James Harden (SG)
- Norman Powell (SG)
- Ivica Zubac (C)
- Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
- Russell Westbrook (PG)
- Terance Mann (SG)
- P.J. Tucker (PF)
- Bones Hyland (PG)
- Kevin Porter Jr. (PG)
- Amir Coffey (SG)
- Kobe Brown (PF)
- Jordan Miller (SF)
Per Spotrac, the Clippers have $176.8 million in total salary cap allocations and are $36.2 million over the cap. However, they are $13.9 million under the first luxury-tax apron and $24.7 million under the second.
Although the 34-year-old Harden's return to the team was far from a certainty, there appeared to be mutual interest between both sides prior to the start of free agency. The Athletic's Sam Amick and Law Murray reported on May 4 that Harden and the Clippers "want this partnership to continue."
The 10-time All-Star was acquired by Los Angeles in a Nov. 2023 trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden transitioned to a complementary role alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, averaging 16.6 points and 8.5 assists per game on 42.8/38.1/87.8 shooting splits.
Although the Clippers fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs with Leonard out, Harden stepped up in the postseason. He recorded 21.2 points and 8.0 assists each night in six playoff appearances, shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from behind the arc.
While keeping Harden is significant, losing George could knock the Clippers out of playoff contention next season, as he has long been one of the best two-way players in basketball.
Last season, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.3 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.
There is likely no replacing that production at this point, but the Clippers are likely hopeful Jones can be part of a by-committee approach.
With the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks last season, Jones started 66 of the 76 games he appeared in and averaged a career-high 8.6 points per game to go along with 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 three-pointers made and 1.0 assist.
Los Angeles is in the midst of a busy offseason. In addition to the Harden, Jones and George moves, Russell Westbrook picked up his $4 million option to stay with the Clippers on Saturday, although Murray and Jenna West of The Athletic revealed that his return "is not a certainty" and the front office may still attempt to move him.
While the Clippers' offseason still has several moving parts, Harden's future with the organization is secure.
