James Harden Signs Three-Year, $97 Million Deal with Cavaliers

James Harden has agreed to a new three-year, $97 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Back in June, it was reported that Harden declined his $42.3 million player option, but Harden and his agents were now able to agree to terms with the Cavaliers prior to the beginning of the season. The new deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season as well as a trade kicker.

The Cavaliers specifically needed Harden to spread his annual salary across a three-year deal rather than a more costly two-year deal in order for Cleveland to get under the NBA’s first and second aprons. Harden’s new contract also gave Cleveland time late in the offseason to trade for forward Peyton Watson, a deal Harden reportedly played a recruiting role in.

Harden is an 11-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA selection, three-time NBA scoring champion, member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and the NBA MVP in 2018.

The Cavs originally acquired Harden from the Clippers last season in early February in exchange for Darius Garland. Cleveland went 21-9 after Harden debuted for the franchise, and he averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in his 26 games with the Cavaliers.

Harden was also a big reason behind the Cavaliers’ playoff run, which culminated in an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, where they were swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks.

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