After advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, James Harden looks set on sticking around in Cleveland.
The star guard will decline his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season and is working with the Cavaliers on a long-term extension, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday.
Harden, 36, was acquired by the Cavaliers in a deal at the deadline that sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Over 26 regular-season games in Cleveland, Harden, the 11-time all-star, averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists while shooting 46.6 per cent from the field and a career-best 43.5 per cent from three-point range.
Though his numbers went down in the playoffs, Harden helped the Cavaliers advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2018, when LeBron James was on the roster. The Cavaliers were swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks.
A 17-year veteran, the Cavaliers are the sixth team Harden has played for over his decorated career. He has been traded four times in the last six seasons.