James Harden's Workload Could Be Reduced During 2025-26 NBA Season, Clippers' Lue Says

The Los Angeles Clippers want to reduce James Harden's workload during the 2025-26 season, head coach Ty Lue told reporters Tuesday (h/t ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly).

"We don't want him to have to be in 60 pick-and-rolls every game," Lue said Tuesday, per Azarly.

Lue added, per The Athletic's Law Murray: "The last few weeks of the season, he got worn down. That's our fault."

Reducing Harden's workload could mean cutting down on anything from minutes to touches and shots, Murray noted.

Harden averaged more than 35 minutes in 79 games last season while pacing all Clippers players with a 28.6 usage percentage, per NBA.com.

He was especially key for the Clippers while Kawhi Leonard was sidelined. Leonard ended up playing just 37 games last season while limited by multiple injuries including a knee issue.

A healthier season from Leonard, in addition to veteran offseason additions like Bradley Beal and Chris Paul, could mean the Clippers won't have to lean on Harden quite as much in his age-36 season.

Harden shot 42 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season while attempting 1.5 per game, per NBA.com.

The Clippers could potentially try to take advantage of that efficiency by allowing players like Leonard to take over more ball-handling duties while giving Harden more catch-and-shoot opportunities next season.

Adjusting Harden's workload doesn't necessarily mean the veteran guard, who sat out just three games of the 2024-25 campaign, will appear in any fewer contests next season.

Lue said Monday he has told Harden he can play fewer than 79 games this season, but that Harden is "not gonna listen," per Murray.

The Clippers begin 2025-26 preseason with an Oct. 12 home game against the Denver Nuggets, tipping off an exhibition slate that leads up to an Oct. 22 season opener against the Utah Jazz.