Cavs' James Harden with money falling around him
Cavs' James Harden with money falling around him
The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a new three-year, $97 million contract with James Harden, according to ESPN. This deal keeps Harden with the Cavs through the 2028-29 seasonand contains both a player option for the final year and a 15% trade kicker.
Less than 24 hours after agreeing to a sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets to acquire forward Peyton Watson, the Cavs wrap up their offseason signings by finally agreeing to terms with Harden.
With this new deal, Harden will surpass $500 million in career earnings, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.
Entering the summer, Harden's plan with the Cavs was to opt out of his $42.3 million player option in order to sign a new long-term deal in NBA free agency. As a result of doing so, Harden would lower his immediate cap hit and give Cleveland some cap relief while adding more fully committed money to his contract.
Initially, the Cavs were projected to be a second-apron team. By Harden opting out and willing to take less money, he is allowing the team to operate below the second apron and gave them a chance to pursue other talent on the market, including LeBron before he chose the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
As a result of his unselfishness, Harden allowed the Cavs to find a way to add Watson to their roster late in free agency.
At the trade deadline in February, the Cavaliers took a big swing by trading Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to the LA Clippers for Harden. This trade was made by Cleveland to maximize their championship odds in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
The Cavs went on to make the Eastern Conference Finals with Donovan Mitchell and Harden leading the way in the backcourt for the first time since LeBron led them there in 2018. Unfortunately for Harden and the Cavs, they were swept in four games by the New York Knicks, who went on to win the 2026 NBA Finals.
In 26 regular-season games with the Cavaliers, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from 3-point range. Although Harden had an underwhelming postseason in Cleveland, the team still views him paired with Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt as their best chance to possibly break through and contend for a championship.
By having Harden decline his player option and sign a long-term deal with the franchise for more guaranteed money, the Cavs gained immediate financial flexibility that was needed to maneuver the second apron.
This was the Cavs' main focus entering the offseason, as remaining below the second apron allows them to move contracts freely in trade talks moving forward and explore further ways to improve their championship outlook.
Max Strus and Dennis Schroder were both traded by the Cavs in the days leading up to this agreement with Harden.
This ultimately allowed the team to acquire Watson via a sign-and-trade and give Harden a new $97 million contract, which will also make him the second player behind LeBron to sign for over $90 million after turning 37. He will turn 37 years old on August 26.
Harden remains a focal point of the Cavaliers' roster, and his new deal with the team ensures he will capitalize financially on the final few years of his career.