Report: James Harden Paycut Allowed Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez Signings By LA Clippers

James Harden, who has shown time and again that he will take paycuts to contend, took another one this offseason.

Report: James Harden Paycut Allowed Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez Signings By LA Clippers

James Harden signs new 2-year, $81.5 million deal (Image via FirstSportz)

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LA Clippers fans have had to endure a lot of heartbreaks over the years. The 2025 playoffs were the first time that they got to experience Kawhi Leonard playing a full playoff campaign without injuries. But even though they went to seven games against Denver, their Game 7 humbling left a bitter taste in many fans’ mouths. Much of the fanbase has given up hope of ever winning a title with him and James Harden.

Born and raised near Los Angeles, James Harden has had a homecoming of sorts in his two seasons with the Clippers. Although both years have ended in playoff exits, the Harden-era Clippers have shown a lot of heart and robustness. GM Lawrence Frank has been given enough signs that they could break through in the right circumstances. He reposed his faith in Harden this year and gave him a max contract extension.

In turn, Harden turned recruiter, convincing Bradley Beal to join him on the Clippers after securing a buyout with the Phoenix Suns. For the Clippers to retain cap space in order to sign Beal, GM Lawrence Frank revealed that Harden even took a pay cut to enable the transaction. Speaking to Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated, Lawrence Frank was effusive in pointing out how unselfish Harden was in the offseason:

Without James, we cant even get Bradley Beal… All James cares about is winning. He’s willing to sacrifice part of his game, part of his contract.

This is hardly the first time that Harden has made such a gesture to his own team’s front office. He took a paycut when he re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in order for Daryl Morey to sign more help in free agency. This was based on an implicit understanding that Harden would be given a max contract extension in 2023. But Morey broke his promise, leading to the infamous soundbite of James Harden in China, calling the Sixers’ and former Rockets’ GM a ‘liar’.

How would the new-look LA Clippers fare with their 2025-26 additions around James Harden and Kawhi Leonard?

As currently constructed, the Clippers have a lot more depth in both the frontcourt and the backcourt than they did in years before. They have Kris Dunn, Harden, Bradley Beal and Bogdan Bogdanovic as the options at the guard spots. Three of these players are able to be the offensive engine for the team in a given spell and match situation. Dunn, on the other hand, is one of the best defenders in the NBA.

James Harden and his Clippers teammate Kawhi Leonard dominated the fourth quarter to win against the Hawks
James Harden and his Clippers teammate Kawhi Leonard (image via LAClippers/X)

Head coach Tyronn Lue can also use more options at the 4 and the 5 spots than he did in years before. Ivica Zubac has matured into one of the best big men in the NBA on both ends of the floor. He will now have sharpshooter and post specialist Brook Lopez to back him up. In case the Clippers wish to play small ball, they could turn to John Collins, who was acquired in exchange for Norman Powell this summer.

A starting lineup of Bradley Beal, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins and Ivica Zubac would be very hard to hang with on both ends of the floor. Although there are certain ageing issues, if the Clippers enter the playoffs healthy, they would very well be a team no other playoff team would like to cross. James Harden and co will have another opportunity to change the narrative around the team in 2025-26.

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