James Harden's disappointing playoff performance against the Denver Nuggets has been met with criticism, but Clippers president Lawrence Frank stands by the All-Star guard. Despite Harden's underwhelming stats in the playoffs, Frank praised his leadership during Kawhi Leonard's absence and highlighted his solid season, where he played 79 games, recorded an average of 22.8 points, and ranked fifth in assists. Though Harden’s playoff average dipped to 18.7 points, Frank remains optimistic about Harden's future with the team, as he has a player option worth $36 million for next season.

Frank acknowledged the need for contingency plans regarding Harden's decision, emphasizing that the Clippers aim to contend while also planning for the future. With a strong finish to the regular season, the Clippers are focused on improvement through the draft and potential trades to bolster their roster.