James Harden’s move to the Clippers propels career earnings above $330 million

Omokolade Ajayi -

Renowned as one of the greatest scorers and shooting guards in NBA history, James Harden has seen his dream move to the Los Angeles Clippers materialize, accompanied by a mouth-watering salary that is set to propel his career earnings beyond the $330 million mark by the end of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

Harden, previously with the Philadelphia 76ers, made headlines for months with his desire to be traded. The negotiations concluded with his much-anticipated move to the Clippers, aligning him with talents such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. He commenced the current season with a $1.27-million compensation from the Philadelphia 76ers before the trade to the Clippers.

Harden’s pivot to Los Angeles Clippers unlocks $35-million salary, propelling career earnings to $338.5 million

With the move to Los Angeles, he is expected to receive an additional $35.64 million in salary this season alone. This lucrative shift, coupled with his previous earnings, is poised to elevate his career earnings to an impressive $338.57 million, securing him the sixth position in the list of highest-earning NBA players of all time.

The high-stakes trade to the Clippers comes after his earlier blockbuster two-year $68.64-million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, complete with a player option for the 2023-24 season. Harden strategically exercised this option before the tip-off of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

This strategic maneuver puts Harden on course to surpass the $330 million career earnings milestone, securing his standing as the sixth-highest-earning NBA player ever. Across a stellar 15-year career, he has not only cemented his name as a basketball superstar but also emerged as an influential figure in the sports industry.

Harden’s financial slam dunk: unveiling multimillion-dollar impact of Adidas deal and other endorsements

Beyond his on-court earnings, Harden’s financial success is underscored by lucrative endorsement deals. Notably, his partnership with Adidas in 2015, securing a 13-year deal worth up to $200 million, has significantly contributed to his financial success in recent years.

Coupled with other endorsements, his projected earnings for 2023 amount to a staggering $55.1 million, securing him the 27th spot in Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

A breakdown of his earnings reveals a balanced distribution, with on-court earnings projected at $33.1 million, while off-court earnings, encompassing endorsements, licensing deals, public appearances, memorabilia, and entrepreneurial ventures, are estimated at $22 million.