James Harden’s time with the Cleveland Cavaliers continues to be positive.
The former MVP guard is likely to decline his player option for next season and sign a longer contract with the Cavs, as reported by Ashish Mathur of Cavaliers Nation on Friday. It is anticipated that Harden will agree to a two-year, $75 million deal with Cleveland, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season.
Harden, a three-time NBA scoring champion, joined the Cavaliers last month in a significant trade with the L.A. Clippers, marking his fifth team in six NBA seasons.
Since joining the Cavs, Harden has played 19 games, averaging 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, partnering with Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt. Cleveland has achieved a record of 14-7 during this time, although Harden missed two games in late February due to a thumb injury.
Harden has a player option worth $42.3 million for next season. However, given his recent strong performance, he may be looking for more long-term financial security this summer.
As he turns 37 in August, there is some risk related to his age. However, a traditional 1+1 contract for veteran players could be beneficial for the Cavaliers, who may have additional important moves to consider in the offseason.