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ESPN's Shams Charania said Monday he fully expects James Harden to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the near future.
Charania made the comment during an appearance on NBA Today.
On June 29, Harden declined a $42.3 million player option for 2026-27. He and the Cavaliers have been working through a new multiyear deal since.
It's been known that the two sides have reached an understanding on a new deal. Harden is willing to spread the money across three seasons, which would lower his annual number.
Cleveland acquired Harden from the LA Clippers in February in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. He had signed a one-year, $39.18 million contract with the Clippers in July 2025.
Across 26 games with the Cavaliers, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.
Counting his time in Los Angeles, he averaged 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in 34.8 minutes last season. He shot 43.4% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 88.4% from the line.
Through 17 postseason games, Harden averaged 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 37.3 minutes. He shot 41.0% from the field and 29.9% from 3-point range. On May 23, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, he recorded his 311th career postseason steal and passed Kobe Bryant for sixth on that list.
Cleveland finished 52-30 and fourth in the East. The Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors in seven games, then came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven. The New York Knicks swept them in the conference finals, Cleveland's first trip to that round since 2018.
The eleven-time All-Star turns 37 in August. Harden was named MVP for the 2017-18 season with Houston and won Sixth Man of the Year in 2011-12 with Oklahoma City.
LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Harden had said publicly this month that he wanted James in Cleveland. Brian Windhorst of ESPN wrote that the Garland trade factored into the decision.
Two days after James signed, the Cavaliers agreed to terms with Mario Hezonja on a one-year, $2.8 million contract. Thomas Bryant re-signed for one year and $3.5 million.
Cleveland carries 13 guaranteed contracts and sits roughly $25.3 million under the first apron and just under $38 million under the second, before Harden's new deal is added.
Earlier this month, Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million extension that begins in 2027-28. Evan Mobley is under contract through 2029-30. Jarrett Allen is signed through 2028-29.
Cleveland remains interested in a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga, sources told Cavs Roundtable. A sign-and-trade requires a three-year contract under the collective bargaining agreement, and Kuminga's position is that he will come down from his asking price only on a one-year deal. Cleveland's interest held through the Hezonja agreement.
Charania said Monday that the Cavaliers are also among the teams interested in free agent forward DeMar DeRozan, along with Miami and Denver. Cleveland had been connected to DeRozan earlier this month.
Harden has not signed. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson enters his third season in Cleveland.
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Charania made the comment during an appearance on NBA Today.
On June 29, Harden declined a $42.3 million player option for 2026-27. He and the Cavaliers have been working through a new multiyear deal since.
It's been known that the two sides have reached an understanding on a new deal. Harden is willing to spread the money across three seasons, which would lower his annual number.
Cleveland acquired Harden from the LA Clippers in February in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. He had signed a one-year, $39.18 million contract with the Clippers in July 2025.
Across 26 games with the Cavaliers, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.
Counting his time in Los Angeles, he averaged 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in 34.8 minutes last season. He shot 43.4% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 88.4% from the line.
Through 17 postseason games, Harden averaged 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 37.3 minutes. He shot 41.0% from the field and 29.9% from 3-point range. On May 23, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, he recorded his 311th career postseason steal and passed Kobe Bryant for sixth on that list.
Cleveland finished 52-30 and fourth in the East. The Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors in seven games, then came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven. The New York Knicks swept them in the conference finals, Cleveland's first trip to that round since 2018.
The eleven-time All-Star turns 37 in August. Harden was named MVP for the 2017-18 season with Houston and won Sixth Man of the Year in 2011-12 with Oklahoma City.
LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Harden had said publicly this month that he wanted James in Cleveland. Brian Windhorst of ESPN wrote that the Garland trade factored into the decision.
Two days after James signed, the Cavaliers agreed to terms with Mario Hezonja on a one-year, $2.8 million contract. Thomas Bryant re-signed for one year and $3.5 million.
Cleveland carries 13 guaranteed contracts and sits roughly $25.3 million under the first apron and just under $38 million under the second, before Harden's new deal is added.
Earlier this month, Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million extension that begins in 2027-28. Evan Mobley is under contract through 2029-30. Jarrett Allen is signed through 2028-29.
Cleveland remains interested in a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga, sources told Cavs Roundtable. A sign-and-trade requires a three-year contract under the collective bargaining agreement, and Kuminga's position is that he will come down from his asking price only on a one-year deal. Cleveland's interest held through the Hezonja agreement.
Charania said Monday that the Cavaliers are also among the teams interested in free agent forward DeMar DeRozan, along with Miami and Denver. Cleveland had been connected to DeRozan earlier this month.
Harden has not signed. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson enters his third season in Cleveland.
Continue reading...
