NBA legend James Harden makes final $97 million decision on his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers
James Harden is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers for another season after agreeing a new three-year contract with the organization worth $97 million.
The 36-year-old, an 11-time All-Star and the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player, will remain in Ohio after agreeing a massive new deal that takes his NBA earnings over the $500 million mark.
Harden joined the Cavaliers in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers in February this year. His new contract includes a player option and a trade kicker, per ESPN.
His career earnings of $511 million rank him fourth in NBA history, behind only LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Only James has signed such a lucrative deal over the age of 37, which Harden will be when he officially signs his deal after his birthday next Wednesday.
He suffered a tough start to his time in Cleveland, fracturing his right thumb against the Knicks in late February just 17 days after being traded to the team. However, he continued playing and helped the team into the postseason.
The guard passed the 29,000-point mark along the way, just the ninth player in NBA history to reach the milestone on March 8. Once in the postseason, he helped the Cavaliers to thrilling seven-game Series wins over the Toronto Raptors then Detroit Pistons.
James Harden is staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers after agreeing a $97 million deal
Harden was traded to Cleveland from the Los Angeles Clippers in February
However, the season ended in disappointment as they were swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Harden will now be back as the franchise attempts to go even further in the 2026/27 season, which will begin against LeBron James’ 76ers, his first game in Philadelphia, on October 22.
After their season ended, Harden was immediately asked if he wanted and expected to stay in Cleveland.
‘Yes, 100 percent,’ he said. ‘Definitely both, to answer. [I] want to definitely. I think we found something. It’s tough not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something.’
After those comments, Harden rejected his $42.3 million player option to negotiate a new deal. He also made a public play to try and convince James to return to Cleveland and form a ‘Big 3’ alongside him and Donovan Mitchell.
‘That’s our objective, that’s what we’re working toward… hopefully it happens within the next few days,’ he said.
That ultimately proved unsuccessful as he headed to the 76ers, but Harden is staying put and will meet his former team in the first game of the season.
Despite his illustrious career, Harden is still yet to win an NBA Championship and will hope that changes with the sixth team of his 17-year career in the league.
