Cavaliers' James Harden gets $25M contract update after Peyton Watson five-team trade image
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been trying to get a deal done for Peyton Watson for nearly a month, and on Wednesday night, they finally completed the trade to acquire the young wing.
Cleveland desperately needed a starting wing and finally found its answer. The deal was a complicated five-team trade that required several moving pieces to get completed.
“Denver is trading Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers and will receive Cleveland's 2031 first-round pick and a 2032 second-rounder from the Sacramento Kings. The Cavs are sending Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers, which gives them the flexibility to sign Watson to a four-year, $88 million contract. There were multiple other minor moves involved to complete the deal, including the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets," Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker wrote.
With the trade officially completed, the Cavaliers can now turn their attention toward finalizing a new deal with James Harden.
“Reported on Sunday night that, according to one source briefed on the process, James Harden’s long-awaited new deal with the Cavaliers would be signed “soon-ish.” Cleveland can finally proceed with finalizing Harden’s pact after its Schröder/Strus/Watson five-teamer is official,” Marc Stein of the Stein Line wrote.
Harden's new contract appears to be on the horizon, and the only question now is how much Cleveland will pay him. NBA reporter Evan Sidery reported that Harden is expected to receive around $25 million annually on his next deal.
“James Harden will soon sign a multi-year agreement with the Cavaliers paying him around $25 million annually. Harden stayed unsigned the entire offseason for Cleveland to make their impact wing acquisition in Peyton Watson,” Sidery posted.
That would be a reasonable price for Harden and one that could give Cleveland some financial flexibility in the years ahead. There is little doubt that Harden made the Cavaliers a different team last season, helping them make a deep run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland now appears to be in a strong position with its roster. Adding Watson is a major move, especially after his breakout season in Denver. Harden also makes the Cavaliers more dynamic offensively, and having a full season alongside Donovan Mitchell could be a major factor in Cleveland's success.
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