James Harden gets new $81.5 million contract from Clippers

James Harden is turning down his $36.3 million player option and signing a new two-year deal to remain in Los Angeles with the Clippers. 

The new contract will be worth $81.5 million for the two years, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. 

James Harden is heading back to the Clippers on a new two-year contract. NBAE via Getty Images

The second year of the deal includes a player option and will be partially guaranteed, the NBA insider also reported.

Harden was expected to remain with the Clippers and it was just a matter of what a new deal could look like. 

He averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game last season in Los Angeles, which lost to the Nuggets in the first round after going 50-32 during the regular season.