James Harden Declines $42.3 Million Cavs Option, Eyes New Multiyear Deal
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 29
James Harden Declines $42.3 Million Cavs Option, Eyes New Multiyear Deal
3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 29
Summary
$42.3 million is what James Harden turned down for 2026-27, making him an unrestricted free agent while he and Cleveland work toward a new multiyear contract.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported the talks are ongoing, and Marc Stein and Jake Fischer said the sides are expected to reach a verbal agreement soon.
Cleveland acquired Harden from the Clippers at the trade deadline, and he helped the Cavs go 52-30 and reach the Eastern Conference finals.
Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 regular-season games, then 19.2 points in the playoffs, where Cleveland was swept by the eventual champion Knicks.
The move points to a longer stay in Cleveland as Harden chases his first NBA title and sees the Cavs as his best path to one.