The 11-time All-Star agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday, August 20, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The deal includes a player option in the final season – 2028-29 – and a trade kicker.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss terms of the deal. ESPN was first to report the news.
Harden, who will turn 37 on Aug. 26, was a key piece of Cleveland’s operation last season after the Cavs acquired him in a February trade. In 26 games with Cleveland last season, he averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. He starred alongside Donovan Mitchell and helped lead Cleveland to the Eastern Conference finals, where the Cavs were swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
CAVALIERS: Acquire Peyton Watson from Nuggets in multi-team trade
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2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
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2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
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2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games)
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2024: Boston Celtics (beat Dallas Mavericks in five games)
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2023: Denver Nuggets (beat Miami Heat in five games)
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2022: Golden State Warriors (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
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2021: Milwaukee Bucks (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
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2020: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Miami Heat in six games)
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2019: Toronto Raptors (beat Golden State Warriors in six games)
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2018: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in four games)
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2017: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in five games)
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2016: Cleveland Cavaliers (beat Golden State Warriors in seven games)
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2015: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in six games)
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2014: San Antonio Spurs (beat Miami Heat in five games)
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2013: Miami Heat (beat San Antonio Spurs in seven games)
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2012: Miami Heat (beat Oklahoma City Thunder in five games)
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2008: Boston Celtics (beat Los Angeles Lakers in six games)
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2005: San Antonio Spurs (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
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2004: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games)
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2003: San Antonio Spurs (beat New Jersey Nets in six games)
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2002: Los Angeles Lakers (beat New Jersey Nets in four games)
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2001: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Philadelphia 76ers in five games)
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1999: San Antonio Spurs (beat New York Knicks five games)
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1997: Chicago Bulls (beat Utah Jazz in six games)
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1996: Chicago Bulls (beat Seattle SuperSonics in six games)
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1995: Houston Rockets (beat Orlando Magic in four games)
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1994: Houston Rockets (beat New York Knicks in seven games)
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1993: Chicago Bulls (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
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1992: Chicago Bulls (beat Portland Trail Blazers in six games)
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1991: Chicago Bulls beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
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1990: Detroit Pistons (beat Portland Trail Blazers in five games)
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1989: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in four games)
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1988: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
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1987: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
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Harden had opted out of his $42.3 million player option for next season to give the Cavaliers some salary cap flexibility while he sought a long-term deal. The expectation was always going to be that he would re-up with the Cavaliers. Team president Koby Altman and Harden each said during press conferences at the conclusion of the season that both sides intended to work out a long-term deal.
Given his age, this deal indicates that Cleveland will be Harden’s final spot, barring a future trade.
Harden is set to enter his 18th season in the NBA and has been one of the more prolific scorers of this generation. He continues to excel on the ball and can create shots for himself or for his teammates.
The Cavaliers are looking to retool after coming up short in their bid for the NBA Finals. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the team traded for rising star forward Peyton Watson in a multi-team deal that shipped guard Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Watson was a restricted free agent with the Denver Nuggets and will now sign a four-year, $88 million contract with the Cavs.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Harden returns to Cavaliers with new 3-year, $97 million deal
