Harden renewed his contract at a sky-high price, the Sun robbed people, and the West was in a frenzy!

NBA has never lacked bombs during the offseason, and the bombshell this summer may be hidden in James Harden's contract options! This super defender who just renewed his legend with a 2-year 70 million contract is now standing at a critical crossroads in his career, and every choice of his choice may cause storm in the league.

Harden's shocking price: Where does the confidence come from?

On May 27, 2025, Jake Fischer, a well-known American sports reporter, broke the news that Harden held the initiative to jump out of the contract and aimed directly at a new two-year, $80 million contract. This is by no means a sky-high price, but a precise anchor to the market. The Dallas Mavericks offered Kyrie Irving a 3-year contract with an average salary of 40 million, which has long set the tone for the top defender's value. What's more, Harden returned to form last season, not only returned to the best lineup, but also made a "dual core" with Leonard to defeat all sides in the playoffs, becoming the key engine for the Clippers to strive for the championship. However, once this contract renewal is reached, the time and space left for the Clippers management to operate will be greatly compressed, and the uncertainty in the future will also intensify. Countdown to the expiration of the contract: The Clippers bet on fate's gamble is dialed to the 2026-2027 season, and Harden, 37, and Leonard, 38, expire at the same time. If the Clippers still missed the championship trophy by then, reconstruction will become an inevitable end. American bookmakers even "pre-order judgment" and gave Harden's departure odds. Surprisingly, the Phoenix Suns ranked first. The shortcomings of the Suns backcourt can be seen from the naked eye. Although Booker and Bill have fierce offensive firepower, the organization and dispatch of No. 1 position have always been unsatisfactory. If Harden can airborne Phoenix City, his top pass vision and offensive sorting ability will undoubtedly inject soul into this luxurious army.

Crazy trading concept: three wins or three losses?

If the Sun wants to reach this deal, it must adopt the strategy of signing first and then changing. The most feasible solution is to use Bill to match multiple draft picks to quote Harden. Although Bill's performance has been criticized in recent years and has even been labeled as a "trash contract", his outstanding off-ball ability is perfectly matched with Leonard's contract length, which can not only fill the Clippers' salary space, but also bring valuable draft resources to the team. However, if the Clippers really let Harden go, the vacancy in the No. 1 position will become a fatal injury. Fortunately, they had a plan B - they turned their attention to Lamelo Ball.

Baul battle: The undercurrent behind the Hornets' internal strife

Former Clippers' legend Louis Williams revealed the secret in one word, and the Clippers are chasing Lamelo Ball with all their might. This season, Ball averaged 24.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists per game, which is enough to prove his superstar potential. The Hornets, who are in reconstruction, obviously cannot satisfy Ball's ambition to compete for the championship. What is even more intriguing is that the Hornets management clearly stated that No. 2 Miller is a non-sale product, and with the No. 4 draw, they are targeting potential new star Dylan Harper. This series of operations completely ignited Ball's fuse to leave the team - he has cancelled the Hornets' official account and released a strong signal to leave the team. At the same time, Ball's brother Lonzo Ball revealed the Hornets' draft plan in a podcast, which indirectly confirmed the breakdown of the relationship between the two sides.

Chain reaction: The western pattern will be completely rewritten

In addition to the open and secret battles between the Clippers and the Suns, other teams are also surging undercurrents. The Wizards have two major ball-holding core players, Maxi and McCain, and the Spurs have a crowded lineup in the backcourt, and they may disrupt the Hornets' wishful thinking in the draft. This trading drama involving many stars such as Harden and Ball not only concerns the players' personal career trends, but also reshapes the power map of the entire Western Conference. Fans are waiting for breath, which team can have the last laugh? Which transaction will become the starting point for the "butterfly effect" to change the alliance pattern? Let us continue to pay attention and witness the birth of another legendary story in NBA history!