The super top salary officially announced! It is said that the league was shocked by 320 million in 5 years, and Harden has no choice but to become a background board

James Harden chose to break out of the $35.64 million clause in the last year of his original contract in the summer of 2025 to start new contract negotiations with the Los Angeles Clippers. After negotiation, the two parties finally reached a two-year agreement with a total value of US$81.5 million, which contains the second-year player options and some guarantee terms. According to the contract details, Harden will receive a salary of US$39.18 million in the 2025-26 season, a slight increase from the amount of the original contract he gave up.

At the same time, other top players in the league have successively won significantly thicker contracts. According to well-known journalist Shams Charania, Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns reached a two-year, $145 million early contract renewal agreement. Combined with its existing three-year $171 million contract, Booker's total revenue in the next five years will reach $320 million. It is worth noting that the Suns are expected to decline significantly after trading Kevin Durant and planning to buy out Bradley Bill.

In addition, many new generation players have also won record contracts: Shea Gilgers-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million contract renewal agreement with the Oklahoma City Thunder; Paul Bankairo and the Orlando Magic reached a five-year, up to $287 million contract (the specific amount depends on the selection of the best team); Chet Holmgren also received the Thunder's five-year, up to $250 million contract renewal commitment. The signing of these contracts forms a sharp contrast at the alliance salary structure.

James Harden has maintained the longest 16 consecutive seasons of active players since entering the NBA in 2009. He was one of the highest-paid players in the league during his time with the Houston Rockets, but his salary level has dropped significantly since leaving the Rockets in 2022. According to league salary data: its annual salary is US$33 million (No. 33 in the league), increased to US$35.68 million (No. 28) in the 2023-24 season, fell back to US$33.65 million (No. 44) in the 2024-25 season, and will increase to US$39.18 million (No. 32) in the 2025-26 season.

Harden will turn 36 in August 2025, and it is expected to be difficult to obtain a maximum salary contract after the current contract expires. The 10-time All-Star player has received salary cuts many times to achieve the championship goal, and his career choice reflects his pursuit of competitive achievements over economic interests. League observers generally pay attention to whether their long-cherished wish to win the championship later in their career.