Cavaliers, James Harden Agree To Three-Year Deal
Hoops Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Free agent guard James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, including a third-year player option and a 15% trade kicker, with the deal fully guaranteed.
- Harden delayed signing to allow the Cavaliers financial flexibility to pursue other free agents, such as Peyton Watson, whom Harden helped recruit to Cleveland.
- The Cavaliers' recent acquisition of Watson on a four-year, $88 million deal and Harden’s contract suggest the team is managing salary cap constraints, possibly preparing for further moves.
- Harden, who will turn 37 soon, was acquired midseason last year in a trade for Darius Garland and helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference finals, averaging 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 regular-season games with the Cavs.
- Both Harden and teammate Donovan Mitchell have committed to staying with Cleveland, with Mitchell signing a four-year max extension in July, indicating the team's intent to build around this core.
