After Cavaliers Resign James Harden To A 3-Year, $97 Million Deal, Can Cleveland Go All The Way?

 The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed free agent James Harden to a three-year, $97 million contract with a 2028-29 player option and a trade kicker.

Harden joined the Cavs last season near the trade deadline, when the Cavs sent Darrius Garland and a second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Last season, the Cavs reached the Eastern Conference Finals with Harden and Donovan Mitchell running the backcourt. The duo fought their way past the Raptors and Pistons in 7 games, respectively, before getting swept by eventual champions New York Knicks.

Harden turned 37 on Aug. 26, and when the 11-time NBA All-Star signs, he will become the second player in league history to sign for over $90 million in guaranteed salary at age 37 or older. The new contract will take Harden, who is entering Year 18, into a 20th NBA season. 

In June, Harden declined his $42.3 million player option. But at the outset of free agency, he and his agents worked with the Cavaliers on two- and three-year structures for a new deal. Harden ultimately allowed Cleveland to use as much time as needed this offseason to add to its roster. 

The Cavaliers needed Harden to lower his annual salary in a three-year deal instead of a more costly two-year deal to get under the first and second aprons. This also gave the Cavs time to trade for Peyton Watson. The Cavs sent Max Strus, plus their 2031 first-round pick and a 2032 second-round pick via the Sacramento Kings, to the Denver Nuggets in a five-team deal.

Harden played a key recruiting role with Watson during his restricted free agency, staying in communication to push him to Cleveland, according to sources. The Cavaliers boast a starting lineup of Harden, Mitchell, Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

After missing out on LeBron James in free agency in July, Cavaliers president Koby Altman made a series of roster moves to add Watson and EuroLeague star Mario Hezonja and take the team out of both aprons. Mitchell also committed to a maximum contract extension with the Cavaliers through the 2030-31 season.

After new acquisitions and the re-signing of key players, the Cavaliers hope to make another playoff push and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2018.