The Cleveland Cavaliers have one thing in mind for the seasons moving forward: winning an NBA championship. The franchise doubled down on this mission, trading Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden.
This move helped pair Harden with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, giving Cleveland the core that’s capable of delivering the kind of success it hasn’t seen since LeBron James’ run from 2014 to 2018.
Cleveland now waits on an answer from James Harden and his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints wrote that among the numerous player options that are in line to play this offseason, Harden is expected to remain with the Cavaliers next year.
Siegel added that Harden is “expected to restructure his contract with the Cavs in the summer.”
James Harden’s Impact on the Cavaliers
James Harden has embraced his role in Cleveland since the blockbuster deal. He’s not going to be the first scoring option, as Donovan Mitchell has put together another impressive season while averaging 27.7 points per game.
This shows that Cleveland will utilize James Harden’s playmaking ability, and he’s done just that since joining the team.
Cleveland has a 16-6 record in games Harden has played in this season, and the 36-year-old is averaging 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. A broken right thumb kept Harden sidelined for two games in late February, but this won’t stop the 11-time All-Star from being available for the Cavaliers down the stretch. He’s been playing through the injury since returning on March 1.
Although regular-season success has always come naturally to teams that James Harden has been a part of, the postseason is when the real test starts.
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Cavaliers currently hold the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. It will come down to the very end between the New York Knicks and them. New York has a one-game lead over the Cavaliers entering Friday.
Although both teams have clinched postseason bids, the final week of the regular season will still have plenty to play for.
James Harden’s 17-Year Playoff Streak
Throughout his Hall of Fame career, James Harden has achieved just about every accolade there is in the sport. But one that’s yet to take place has lingered: winning an NBA championship.
The Cavaliers secured a playoff bid on Thursday in Cleveland’s 118-111 win over the Golden State Warriors.
This extends James Harden’s playoff streak to 17-straight seasons. He trails Karl Malone (19 seasons), John Stockton (19 seasons), Tim Duncan (18 years), and is tied with Jason Kidd (17 seasons) and Tony Parker (17 seasons) for most all-time.
In 2012, Harden was on the Oklahoma City Thunder when they lost to the Miami Heat in the Finals, but he hasn’t made it back since.
We will see over the next few months if this Cleveland Cavaliers squad will be the one that gets James Harden and the franchise over its hump. Harden is expected to run it back with Cleveland for the 2025-26 season if this year doesn’t pan out.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Cavaliers’ James Harden Makes Contract Decision Ahead of Free Agency: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.