Big news! The suspense of Irving Harden staying behind is revealed: The Mavericks have 120 million people in three years, and Irving is soaked in the maximum salary? Details of the Clippers renew

In the 2025 offseason, the first "deep water bomb" in the NBA transfer market has surfaced - rumors of the departure of two major stars Kyrie Irving and James Harden were completely shattered. The Mavericks and the Clippers are vigorously promoting the renewal plan, but the contract amount, age and game details are hidden. Why does the Mavericks rather cut their salary than keep the seriously injured Irving? What kind of ambition is hidden behind Harden's "cheap contract"? This article deeply analyzes the stay-behind logic of the two superstars and the potential shocks in the future alliance pattern.

1. The Mavericks' gamble: renew Irving's contract for 120 million yuan in three years, the dream of maximum salary is shattered, but the dual core is still there

1. Irving's crossroads: The maximum salary is ruined, but what is the value of "loyalty with injury"?

In March this year, Irving suffered a torn cruciate ligament of his left knee in the game against the Kings, and was directly reimbursed for the season. This serious injury caused his market to take a sharp turn for the worse. Although if Irving breaks out of the contract ($43.96 million in the 2025-26 season player option), he can theoretically sign a 5-year, 314 million super maximum salary, the Mavericks are only willing to provide a three-year, $120 million contract renewal, and their annual salary has shrunk to 40 million.

Focus of the game: The Mavericks' management believes that Irving's potential injury and his age at 33 are no longer in line with the maximum salary, but the team still needs to retain his backcourt combination with Doncic (he led the team to the finals last season). If Irving refuses to renew his contract, it is unlikely that any team in the free market will be willing to bear the high risk of injury.

2. Mavericks' "time binding" strategy: The contract has hidden mystery

The Mavericks' contract renewal plan is not simply a price reduction. According to reports, the new contract synchronizes the contract years of Irving, general manager Nick Harrison and core player Anthony Davis to 2027, forming a "three-year championship window". If it fails, the team can be completely rebuilt to avoid being dragged down by long-term large contracts. This strategy not only guarantees immediate combat power, but also retains flexibility for the future.

3. Fans controversy: Is salary cut fair?

Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season, with a three-point shooting percentage of up to 40.1%, and his performance is still top-notch. But after being seriously injured, the Mavericks' offer was regarded by some fans as "taking advantage of the situation." However, some voices believe that 120 million yuan in three years is a sincere move - referring to players who also suffered a torn cruciate ligament (such as Klay Thompson), the Mavericks' offer is already generous.

2. Harden's "cheap contract": The Clippers locked the commander for 75 million in two years, and won the final window of the championship

1. Harden's "high cost-effective" contract renewal: Why did the Clippers become the biggest winner?

Harden holds the $36.35 million player option for the 2025-26 season, but the Clippers plan to keep it for 75 million in two years. Although his performance in the playoffs (only scored 7 points in the life-and-death battle), his performance of leading the team in the regular season single core averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game is still an indispensable engine for the Clippers.

Key chips: Harden's contract renewal contract is synchronized with Leonard's existing contract to the 2026-27 season, ensuring that the dual-core cooperation will last for at least two more years. In addition, the Clippers are planning to trade Jazz inside Corinth for 2 to 1 to further strengthen their shortcomings.

2. Controversy and Expectations: Harden's "passive character" becomes a double-edged sword

Paul George once commented on Harden: "He can do too many things, but he doesn't know whether he should become a scorer or a organizer." This "passiveness" was magnified in the playoffs, causing him to be invisible at critical moments. But the Clippers are still willing to bet on Harden, looking at his regular season bottoming ability - he played 79 games this season, setting a career high. If Leonard remains healthy, Harden's passing vision will remain the key to the championship.

3. Salary comparison: Is Harden a wise choice to "cut the salary"? The annual salary of 75 million yuan in

2 years (37.5 million yuan) is only slightly higher than the original contract, but compared with Irving's possible annual salary of 40 million yuan, Harden's cost-effectiveness is highlighted. League executives analyzed that if Harden enters the free market, it is unlikely that any team will be willing to provide him with higher quotations (such as the Pistons and Nets in reconstruction), and leaving the Clippers is the best solution.

3. Future pattern: The secret battle between the league behind the left-behind

1. The "different path" between the Mavericks and the Clippers

Both teams choose to retain their core lineups, but their strategies are very different:

Mavericks: shorten the contract years, bind the timeline between management and stars, and bet on winning the championship within three years.

Clippers: Synchronize Harden's contract with Leonard, optimize the lineup (such as giving up Coffey and pursuing Collins), and bet on the chemistry of "healthy Leonard + Harden".

2. Competition in the West is escalating: the rise of the new king and the end of the veteran

If Irving and Harden stay in the team, the western pattern will become more intense: the Mavericks (Doncic + Irving), the Clippers (Kar + Harden), and the Timberwolves (Edwards + Downs) form a three-legged tycoon, while veteran tycoons and other veterans may fall further.

3. Fan Interaction: How do you view the two’s choice of staying behind?

Supporting party: "Dual-core stability is greater than risky reconstruction!" "Harden's pass can make the Clippers go further!"

Opposition: "Irving is not worth 40 million after being seriously injured!" "Harden's playoff soft-footed shrimp attributes are unsolvable!"

The stay-behind of Irving and Harden marks the rational return of the "date of the big contract" of NBA stars. The pressure of serious injuries, age and salary cap has forced the team to pay more attention to short-term games rather than long-term binding. For fans, this may be an opportunity to witness the "last dance" - can the two veterans realize their dream of the championship within a limited window period? The answer is about to be revealed.

(Interactive at the end of the article: Do you think Irving should accept 120 million for three years, or take the risk of testing the free market? Is Harden's contract worth a premium or a premium? Welcome to discuss it fiercely in the comment area!)