dpJames Harden is projected to sign a multi-year deal with guaranteed money worth even more than his 2026-27 player option.
Coming off their first-ever Eastern Conference Finals appearance in nearly a decade, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a major offseason to face in trying to put themselves over the hump.
James Harden
| MIN: | 35.35 |
| PTS: | 22.69 (57.18%) |
| REB: | 4.86 |
| AS: | 7.45 |
| ST: | 1.25 |
| BL: | 0.45 |
| TO: | 3.74 |
| GM: | 88 |
As such, one of the key priorities that the Cavs will pursue is their contract commitments with James Harden, who is expected to decline his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
As a potential new deal looms for both sides, there is already an expectation that Harden would sign a new multi-year contract with more guaranteed money overall compared to his next season’s player option.
“Since Harden was acquired from the Clippers in February, the heavy expectation from sources around the league has him and the Cavaliers agreeing to a multiyear deal — potentially three years due to the league’s over-38 rule — that brings down the $42.3 salary on his player option for next season and gives him more guaranteed money,” ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported.
Harden commits himself with the Cavs since trade deadline arrival
Harden was acquired by the Cavaliers at the past trade deadline, which sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers.
With the help of the former league MVP, Cleveland managed to reach the East Finals for the first time since 2018, but was unfortunately swept by the New York Knicks.
Right after the Cavs’ season-ending loss in Game 4, Harden publicly claimed that he expects himself to stay and play as a Cavalier next season.
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