The Clippers officially signed three players, including 11-time All-Star James Harden, to free-agent contracts on Sunday, when the NBA’s annual moratorium on business officially concluded.
Forward Nicolas Batum and veteran center Brook Lopez also officially signed their deals to play for the Clippers this coming season.
Harden, who helped keep the team afloat during Kawhi Leonard’s absence during the first half of last season, reportedly inked a two-year, $81.5 million deal.
“James takes on a tremendous workload for our team, as a playmaker and a scorer, and he does it with consistency and dependability,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement through the team. “The NBA season is grueling, and James has proven he is built for it, in a way few are. He loves to play. He works on his game. He positions his teammates to succeed and his team to win.
“He’s a true partner, as shown by this agreement, which allows us to reward James and continue building in the present and future.”
Last season, Harden averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds in 79 starts. He was the only player in the NBA to rank in the top 10 in total points, assists, steals and 3-pointers.
For Batum, his re-signing marked the start of his fifth season with the team. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the 36-year-old forward reportedly signed a two-year, $11.5 million deal to return. The deal includes a team option as well as a trade kicker.
“Nico is an integral part of this era of Clippers basketball,” Frank said. “His skill, selflessness and high IQ elevate the entire team. He sees the game, and he makes willing plays, whether obvious or subtle. We only benefit from Nico’s presence.”
Batum, who played for the Clippers from 2020-2023, was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in October 2023 as part of the trade that brought James Harden to Los Angeles. Batum, 36, rejoined the Clippers as a free agent last summer.
He appeared in 78 games last season and averaged 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists, while shooting 43.3% from 3-point range (tied for third highest in the NBA) and was a finalist for the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award.
He is one of seven active NBA players with career totals of at least 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds and 1,500 3-pointers.
The Clippers also announced they have officially signed veteran center Brook Lopez to a reported two-year, $18 million deal.
“Brook is an elite rim protector and range shooter who will bring a different dimension to our frontcourt,” Frank said. “He is also a former champion and a genuine pro who will be a great addition to our group.”
Lopez, 37, averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots (fourth in NBA) last season, playing 31.8 minutes per game in 80 games with the Milwaukee Bucks. He shot 50.9% (394 for 774) from the field, 37.3% (139 for 373) from 3-point range and 82.6% (114 for 138) from the free-throw line.
Last season marked Lopez’s third straight with 100+ 3-pointers and 100+ blocks, and the sixth in his career, the most in NBA history.
