2 Clippers who earned untouchable status, 2 who could be cut loose
By Will Eudy
Untouchable: James Harden
It is reasonable to say that before this past season began, the Clippers already had a solid process down on both sides of the basketball. When healthy, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are still a few of the best two-way superstars in the game, and we know what they are capable of both together and apart. Even when one is available and not the other, we have seen the Clippers still reach incredible heights, like their run to the Western Conference Finals following Leonard's injury three years ago.
But knowing their stars were beginning to age just a bit, the front office thought it best to go out and pursue another playmaker that could get the ball into their hands optimally. Enter James Harden, who may not have had an All-Star caliber season, but still did plenty of things to make the Clippers a better team overall.
Say what you want about Harden, but this past season was where he proved he is willing and able to be a total team player at this point in his career, which is not always an easy thing for a former superstar to do. His contributions in the regular season were significant, and he followed that up with several masterful performances in the playoffs, including Game 4 against the Mavericks where he hit clutch shot after clutch shot down the stretch.
James proved that he belongs on this team long-term. Knowing what he was able to do in 2023-24 and his value to the roster, the Clippers should not be willing to part with him for less than a big offer.