James Harden Inks Three-Year, $97 Million Deal to Remain with Cleveland Cavaliers

At 36 years old, Harden previously turned down a $42.3 million player option to pursue a longer-term contract.

Published On 20 Aug 202620 Aug 2026

Former NBA Most Valuable Player and 11-time All-Star point guard James Harden has agreed to a new three-year contract worth $97 million to continue his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a statement from his representatives to ESPN on Thursday.

The agreement, confirmed by his agents at Equity Sports, includes a player option for the 2028-29 NBA season as well as a trade kicker provision.

Harden’s revised contract follows the Cavaliers’ recent acquisition of guard Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a multi-team deal involving the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now entering what will be his age-37 season, Harden opted against a $42.3 million player option earlier this summer to secure a more extended commitment with Cleveland.

The Cavaliers initially acquired Harden from the Clippers at the February trade deadline in exchange for All-Star guard Darius Garland.

During his 26 regular-season games with Cleveland, Harden contributed averages of 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per contest.

Over his 1,221 regular-season career appearances (1,007 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2009-12), Houston Rockets (2012-2021), Brooklyn Nets (2021-22), Philadelphia 76ers (2022-23), Clippers (2023-26), and Cavaliers, Harden has maintained career averages of 24.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

Source link