Cavs, James Harden agree to three-year guaranteed deal

To no one’s surprise, James Harden is staying in Cleveland.

Harden has agreed to a new three-year, $97 million contract with the Cavaliers, agents Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports told ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a player option for 2028-29 and a trade kicker. 

So after all the waiting, the Cavs have taken care of their biggest remaining piece of offseason business.

Harden declined his $42.3 million player option in June, and ESPN reports the sides discussed both two- and three-year structures. Harden ultimately gave Cleveland time to make other roster moves before finalizing his contract. 

That patience paid off Wednesday, when the Cavs acquired 23-year-old forward Peyton Watson from the Nuggets as part of a five-team trade.

Harden’s new deal also comes with some history.

His career earnings will climb to $511 million, making him just the fourth player in NBA history to surpass $500 million, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.

Harden turns 37 on Aug. 26. Once the deal becomes official, he will become only the second player in league history to sign a contract guaranteeing more than $90 million at age 37 or older. The other is James. 

The Cavs acquired Harden last season and reached the Eastern Conference finals. Now he’ll return to a roster that still features Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, with Watson joining the mix.

Cleveland wanted to get younger and more athletic around its veteran stars this summer.

Now the Cavs have Watson. And they still have Harden.