Although there has yet to be any development, James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers are still expected to reunite on a new contract this offseason.
ESPN's Marc J. Spears revealed that both sides have taken a patient approach in pursuing their long-term commitment, wherein the Cavs continue to explore multiple contract offers Harden could choose.
"Well, I'm hearing that the Cavaliers are working through different iterations of a deal, trying to come up with something that's best for James and also best for them. To James' credit, they're saying that he's been patient," Spears said on NBA Today.
"His people have been patient, and I hear that they expect a resolution to come soon for him to re-sign and be back in."
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James Harden expected to return to Cavs with a new deal
Harden is currently unsigned as an unrestricted free agent in this year's offseason. In the end, even if it's already August, everyone anticipates his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a new deal.
He notably turned down his $42 million 2026-27 player option to have a new contract with the Cavs.
Harden arrived in Cleveland in a 2025-26 trade deadline deal between the Cavs and the LA Clippers that involved Darius Garland. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds across 26 games for the remainder of the previous season.
Despite just a brief time together, Harden helped the Cavs make a return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.
Recently, it was revealed that Harden's infamous charges of unlawful carrying of a handgun back in June were dismissed.