Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) and guard James Harden (1) celebrates after the Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
David Dermer-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have completed their offseason puzzle, and on Thursday, they put the finishing touches on what has been a solid free agency period thus far. A day after signing and trading for Peyton Watson to address the small forward position, the Cavs finally brought James Harden back, signing him to a three-year, $97 million contract.
Harden was fully committed to the Cavs ever since he joined the team via trade back in February, and he chose not just to decline his player option for the 2026-27 season, but also delay his re-signing so Cleveland can make some roster upgrades. The front office certainly repaid Harden's faith in the team by pulling off the heist for Watson, and now, it's time for them to get back to work.
In fact, Harden is already building even more chemistry with the Cavs, putting in some work with some of his teammates, most notably Evan Mobley, in a training session that also involved head coach Kenny Atkinson.
James Harden putting in work with some of his Cavs teammates in Arizona after signing his new deal with the team earlier today 💪
(via @JHarden13)pic.twitter.com/Nhc5tvIvdZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 20, 2026
It's important to note that the Cavs went 19-7 last year with Harden on the roster, and that translates to around a 60-win pace over a full 82-game campaign. Harden may be turning 37 years of age in less than a week's time, but he is a man who lives and breathes basketball and he will do everything he can to stave off Father Time.
It was also promising to see Harden touch base with youngsters Tyrese Proctor, Meleek Thomas, and Nae'Qwan Tomlin, all of whom can definitely use the wisdom the Cavs star has to impart.
At the end of the day, the goal for the Cavs heading into next season is clear. They need to win big and win now, and Harden, of all people, would know the urgency of this task. It's finally time for this team to get it done.