Inside the Cavs’ early vision for James Harden

The Cavaliers didn’t hesitate once the deal was done.

Within hours of landing James Harden, head coach Kenny Atkinson was already thinking about how to make this work at the highest level. His first call was a familiar one. He reached out to Mike D’Antoni, the architect behind Harden’s most dominant years in Houston.

“Obviously, James has been great with the Clippers and (Tyronn Lue’s) system, but I do think with Mike and that Houston team, that was the pinnacle of his powers,” Atkinson said. “So we’d be foolish not to talk to Mike, not to go back and look at the Houston years and see what we can implement.”

That version of Harden was everywhere. MVP conversations. Top five player territory. Relentless scoring, constant pressure on the rim, and an offense that bent entirely around his ability to read the floor. This Harden is older, but he is also more measured and more adaptable.

At 36, Harden can still take over a game when needed or slide into the role of orchestrator just as easily. That flexibility is what sold the Cavs.

“I think our ceiling is definitely obviously higher when you have a guy like James Harden,” Donovan Mitchell said. “Sometimes the front office makes moves, and now it’s on us to execute. We weren’t able to get it done for the past three years, and now our goal is to try to get it done now.”

Mitchell knows the adjustment period will not be perfect.

“It’s not gonna always be pretty,” he said. “But for us, this is the time.”

Harden’s impact is expected to ripple quickly through the roster, especially with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. His history with big men speaks for itself.

“What is he averaging, 25 and eight?” Mitchell said. “The biggest thing I’m excited for is what he’s gonna be able to do for JA and Ev.”

Atkinson sees the same possibilities.

“We’re a darn good pick-and-roll team as is, and now you add one of the greatest ever,” he said. “When you watch his film, what really stands out is the passing. He’ll elevate our bigs. He makes others better.”

That includes shooters and role players too. Sam Merrill, Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson, along with Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, all stand to gain.

Right now, the priority is connection before complexity.

“Great players fit together usually,” Atkinson said. “It’s up to us as coaches and collaborating with Donovan and James. When you have high-IQ players, it makes it a heck of a lot easier.”

The Cavs are not easing into this. They are leaning into it.