NBA: James stays at the team to record, Harden renews contract with 81.5 million yuan, Timberwolves keep Randle

NBA offseason continued, and the operations of their respective teams have also accelerated, with multiple contract renewals and re-signing earlier. Including teams like the Clippers and Timberwolves. James chose to execute the player option on the Lakers, leaving behind the Lakers set a new record, but the team is facing a mixed situation. Let's take a look at the specific situation together. NBA: James set a record for staying in the team, the Lakers were mixed, Harden renewed his contract with 81.5 million yuan, and the Timberwolves kept Randle.

According to ESPN famous reporter Shams, James's agent and CEO of Klutch Sports, Ritchie Paul revealed to ESPN that James will choose to execute the 2025-26 season of $52.6 million player option. In the end, James chose to stay with the Lakers, which will be his 23rd season in his career and become the first player in NBA history to compete in the 23rd season of his career. He has maintained an excellent personal form this past season, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1 steal per game, shooting percentage of 51.3% and three-point shooting percentage of 37.6%.

James chose to execute the player option to stay in the Lakers. For the team, they can still maintain the core of their lineup in the new season, and have the possibility of going further, but there are other possibilities. According to follow-up reports from Evan Sidery, if the Lakers fail to take the necessary trade to gain competitiveness in the West, LeBron may apply for a deal. LeBron fully understands that the Lakers are preparing for the future around Luca Doncic.

Another point is the Lakers' defensive gate to test the waters of the free market. Finney Smith refused to execute the $15.4 million player option next season, and he was the Lakers who traded back from the Nets with Russell, Lewis and three second-round picks. The Lakers averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 44.8%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 41.1%. He was unquestionable in the defensive end. He entered the free market and was expected to pursue him by many championship teams. Of course, he still has the possibility of returning to the Lakers, but the Lakers' current salary space is facing huge difficulties in their later operations. You should know that their inside line has not been supplemented yet. Other teams were revealed to ask the Lakers for more chips in the transactions about inside players, which makes the Lakers face greater difficulties in strengthening. The Timberwolves can be said to have also been operating quite a lot recently. They left Reed and chose to keep Randall, and the contract they gave was unexpectedly lower than Gobert. According to reports, the Timberwolves and Randall reached a three-year $100 million contract renewal, of which the 27-28 seasons are player options. Randall's performance this season has completely exceeded expectations, especially in his outstanding performances in the playoffs, averaging 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, shooting percentage of 50.2% and three-point shooting percentage of 38.5%.

greatly helped the team go further in the playoffs. Of course, after leaving Reed and Randall, it was difficult for the Timberwolves to keep Walker. In the past season, Walker averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists, which is also a key link in the rotation lineup. His salary this past season was reduced to $4.31 million, and his contract expired and he became a full free agent this summer. He is expected to leave the Timberwolves by signing first and then changing.

The last one is about the Clippers and Harden. According to Shams's revelation, Harden refused to execute the player options and will sign a two-year contract of 81.5 million, including the second year of the player options and some guarantee clauses. Signing a two-year contract is expected, so that the team can ensure the flexibility to supplement talents now and in the future. This season, Harden still averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, shooting percentage of 41% and three-point shooting percentage of 35.2%, and he will return to the All-Star after two years. In the end, he stayed in the Clippers.

The stay and departure of James and Harden have been confirmed, so the Lakers and Clippers will make further adjustments and supplements to the lineup in a targeted manner, and look forward to the later operation of the Lakers, Clippers and other teams.