James Harden will re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year deal worth $70 million, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. Harden, 34, joined the Clippers last fall after a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.

While the Clippers are at risk of losing all-star forward Paul George in free agency, they will retain Harden, a 10-time all-star who functioned as their lead ballhandler last season, alongside Kawhi Leonard. Harden averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game last season, but he was unable to lift the Clippers past the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.

Nevertheless, the Clippers will have Harden, a Los Angeles native, in the fold when they open the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., this season. If George departs, Harden could reestablish himself as a scoring threat. Prior to joining the Clippers, the three-time NBA scoring champion had averaged at least 20 points per game in 11 straight seasons. Harden will hold a player option for the 2025-26 season, according to the Athletic.