The Cleveland Cavaliers and superstar guard James Harden have agreed to a new contract worth $97 million over three years, a deal finalized just weeks after Harden was arrested in Houston. The agreement was announced on Thursday.
Harden's new pact includes a player option and a trade kicker, according to his agents. This contract is projected to bring his all-time NBA earnings to $511 million, positioning him among an elite group of players, including LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, who have surpassed the half-billion dollar mark in career earnings.
The timing of the contract announcement follows Harden's arrest on June 13 in Texas. Houston police stated that during a traffic stop, an unholstered firearm was visible in his vehicle. Harden was charged with one misdemeanor count of unlawful carrying of weapons. The case was dismissed on August 6 after prosecutors confirmed Harden had completed an "alternative resolution agreement."
While Harden has not publicly addressed the incident, the Cavaliers acknowledged being aware of the situation and gathering information on the day of his arrest. Harden was acquired by the Cavaliers in February from the Clippers in a trade that also involved Darius Garland. In 26 games with Cleveland following the trade, Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per game.