As an unexpected end to a tenure applies to any caliber of player, fans want those who are loved to remain in uniform, but with finances and confounding factors, front offices are required to cut certain players loose to avoid future complications.
With the LA Clippers, it is rare for a player to spend their entire career with the organization. This is what the fan base wanted for Clippers legend Blake Griffin. Yet, he ended up retiring after playing 41 games in the 2022-23 season with the Boston Celtics, which was understandable considering the injuries and physical pressure at 33 years of age.
Moreover, an icon who was traded and willingly extended his term with the Clippers is James Harden, and most fans will continue to deny the fact that his career will conclude on another team until the day he actually departs comes around.
For the Clippers, Harden has accumulated one All-Star and one All-NBA selection, averaging 19.8 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds over 151 games, 79 of which were played while boosting LA to a memorable 50-game season.
However, due to Harden’s age, as his birthday is in ten days, the Clippers will not be able to cling to him forever, foreshadowing an end date to his tenure that is now considered painfully obvious.
The LA Clippers going into a complete reset in 2027 signals the end of a hopefully successful run with dual-threat superstar James Harden
Although James Harden may want to stay home in the summer of 2027, his only options will be to consider signing with other teams in California, like the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors, as the LA Clippers will be looking to build around a younger star, not someone on the verge of 38.
Conversely, the Clippers would love to have him back, much like Chris Paul, if he is open to signing for less money, possibly even a veteran minimum contract, before he retires.
Nevertheless, until then, the Clippers will focus on superstars in their primes, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young, who are capable of being the first option on a properly built championship team.
Thus, Clipper Nation must cherish the two seasons Harden has left, repping his jersey to maximum capacity, as he will retire a legend in the history of the game and for the franchise LA has established.