James Harden has agreed to a new three-year, $97 million contract with the Cavaliers, which includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and a trade kicker, according to ESPN.
Harden’s agents Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports confirmed the agreement to ESPN on Thursday.
The deal comes after Harden declined his $42.3 million player option in June, allowing both sides to work on a new contract while Cleveland continued reshaping its roster.
Harden ultimately gave the Cavaliers flexibility throughout the offseason, with the team needing him to accept a lower annual salary on a three-year structure to help move below both salary-cap aprons.
That flexibility helped Cleveland complete its five-team trade for Peyton Watson on Wednesday, while Max Strus was sent to the Clippers. Harden also played a role in recruiting Watson, remaining in contact with the 23-year-old during restricted free agency and pushing him toward Cleveland, according to ESPN.
Harden now projects to start alongside Donovan Mitchell, Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as the Cavaliers look to build on last season’s Eastern Conference finals appearance.
Cleveland acquired Harden from the Clippers in February in exchange for Darius Garland, and the move quickly paid off. The Cavaliers went 21-9 following Harden’s debut, while the former MVP averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds after the All-Star break.
He followed that by averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds across 18 playoff games.
The contract also puts Harden on track for another major career milestone. He has earned approximately $414 million during his NBA career and would surpass $500 million in career earnings after completing the new deal.
Harden turns 37 on Aug. 26 and will become only the second player in NBA history, alongside LeBron James, to sign a contract worth more than $90 million guaranteed at age 37 or older.
The three-year agreement could also take Harden through his 20th NBA season as Cleveland keeps its veteran playmaker around for another championship push.
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