The Clippers and Harden are in a dilemma. The general manager praised Harden for his salary cut. Harden faces a choice again

The Clippers opened low and closed high this season. Originally, after letting George go, the Clippers management had given up on this season, as long as the results were not too ugly. Saying that it is tax avoidance actually the team has begun to prepare for future reconstruction. However, reconstruction requires high-quality chips, and the Clippers' failed transactions in recent years have lost all their high-quality picks. I can only wait patiently to look forward to the miracle. Harden's ability to "turn decay into magic" mentor-level training role players has given the Clippers management a glimmer of hope.

So in the offseason last season, the Clippers management took advantage of the excellent opportunity of the decline in Harden's market trading value and won Harden, who was in trouble for 70 million in two years. Just like winning the Tao Lottery, a group of problematic and role players were collected at a low price, hoping that Harden can train high-quality players as the team's bargaining chips. As expected, Harden lived up to expectations and trained two very outstanding players, Powell and Zubac. At this time, the Clippers were hit again, and Leonard actually dared to take his own initiative and had a knee surgery privately without notifying the team. This made the Clippers management completely lose confidence. Even the entire NBA league is in disrespectful to the Clippers.

But Harden, who was determined to prove himself for his career, was like a fully charged Warriors, leading the Clippers to make rapid progress, and with his own strength, he carried the Clippers into the playoffs. This not only made the Clippers management overjoyed, but also completely beyond the expectations of the NBA league giants. The league that he had never liked Harden, but when he saw Harden, who broke the league's rules again, he would be angry and would not fight!

Think of this, Harden, with his outstanding talent, made the NBA change the rules alone because of him. This time it was this annoying Harden who challenged the authority of the bigwigs in the league. It’s really “Uncle can tolerate it, aunt can’t”! Just as the Clippers' team was full of confidence and Clippers fans shouted the slogan of winning the championship, the NBA League referee team made a big move. The poor Clippers played a tiebreak with the champion team in the first round of the playoffs with their tenacity but fell to the threshold of the semi-finals, and they were defeated with regret.

At this time, Harden had actually seen through the alliance's conspiracy, although the media was full of criticism because of Harden's "weakness". But Harden himself knows that he has gained a lot this season. I once again proved that I am still excellent throughout the season. This laid the foundation for obtaining the last big contract of his career in the offseason.

Then Harden's team and the Clippers management held multiple rounds of consultations on the signing issue, but the two sides never reached an agreement. The Clippers do not seem to want to provide too high contracts. 70-80 million in two years seems to be the limit that the Clippers can accept. Harden's team hopes to have a maximum salary of 120 million yuan in three years. You have to know how important "this last big contract" is to Harden. Harden then decided to give up the player option in order to seek a big contract. This time, Harden obviously won't be able to keep the team again with a salary cut.

, and Clippers' reporter LAW MURRY revealed relevant information to the outside world. Although Harden gave up the player option, the Clippers are still Harden's first choice. Harden's excellent performance of 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists this season completely exceeded Harden's current salary of 36 million. It's even cheaper than stars of the same level in the league.

Looking at the comparison of the stars this season, you will find that Harden's fuel tank still has high-quality oil: Halliburton (18.6+3.5+9.2) annual salary of 50 million +/Jamaal Murray (21.4+3.9+6.0) annual salary of 50 million + In comparison, Harden's 36 million is simply a "baby price".

But the Clippers also face huge risks, whether Harden, who is already 36, can maintain efficient output. Ballmer, who was deceived by Leonard and George, was already psychologically shady, probably became more careful. After affirming Harden's contribution, Clippers general manager Frank also expressed his respect for Harden's choice, but would consider tax avoidance. This actually seems to indicate that the Clippers are ready to lose Harden.

Where Harden, who is once again at the crossroads of his career, chooses to stick to the Clippers and Leonard to continue to win the championship, or to switch to a new owner for a big contract. This game not only concerns the fate of the Clippers, but also concerns Harden's future and the NBA league pattern.