Following an abysmal display in one of the few game sevens of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the LA Clippers' front office could have dodged any future meltdowns by ignoring his request to return after declining his player option. This would have put him in the unrestricted free agent market, leaving the 35-year-old with an endless list of teams to join next.
Lawrence Frank approached Harden's biggest weakness, which is inevitable failure in the postseason, by adding everything possible in the offseason. Getting stronger rather than replacing seemed like a better option to Frank, and there is hope that it could work out next season.