Every year, James Harden inevitably flames out in the NBA postseason.

Right now, he’s the NBA’s last hope.

That’s because the Oklahoma City Thunder own the Clippers’ first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. There’s a world where the Thunder win back-to-back NBA titles before winning the draft lottery’s No. 1 overall pick.

Harden’s Los Angeles Clippers are one of the worst teams in the NBA, currently 5-12 and the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference.

The 17-year veteran is the NBA’s last hope. The Thunder agreed to long-term deals with their young championship core this offseason. NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams are under contract long term and currently have the Thunder as the top-rated team in the NBA.

Oklahoma City is 17-1 – literally no

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