James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers have come to terms on a three-year, $97 million contract. The deal that will keep the former in Cleveland through the 2029-30 season, according to ESPN.
By the end of his current deal, James Harden will eclipse $500 million in career earnings. He’s now just the eighth player in NBA history to hit that incredible mark. He joins LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Paul George, Donovan Mitchell, and Joel Embiid.
Turning 37 next week, Harden joined the Cavaliers before last season’s trade deadline and helped propel Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals. By opting out of his player option for next season, Harden aims to secure a final multi-year contract at a lower annual salary, giving the Cavaliers the financial flexibility needed to target wing upgrades this summer.
Harden averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in his 26 regular-season appearances with the Cavs last season. In the playoffs, he posted 19.2 points, 5.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds in the playoffs. Cleveland reached the conference finals, but was swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
HARDEN’S REMARKABLE CAREER
Regarded as one of the most dynamic offensive guards in basketball history, Harden began as an explosive second-unit scoring option. He won the 2012 NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the Houston Rockets. Harden earned the 2017–18 NBA Most Valuable Player award, three consecutive scoring titles (2018–2020), and two assist titles (2017, 2023).
Beyond individual hardware, Harden revolutionized the game with foul-drawing, isolation efficiency, and signature step-back three-pointer.
Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, “The Beard” boasts 11 NBA All-Star selections and eight All-NBA Team honors (including six First Team selections).
Along with Harden, the Cavaliers traded for Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets where he inked a four-year, $88 million deal.
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