James Harden has committed his future to the Cleveland Cavaliers, agreeing to a three-year contract extension worth $97 million. The deal will keep the 36-year-old guard with the Cavaliers through the upcoming NBA seasons and significantly boosts his career earnings beyond the $500 million mark.
Harden, an 11-time All-Star and the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player, joined the Cavaliers in February via a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. His new contract includes a player option and a trade kicker, according to ESPN.
His career earnings will now stand at $511 million, placing him fourth all-time in NBA history behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. Only LeBron James has secured a deal of similar value after the age of 37, which Harden will approach after his birthday next Wednesday.
Despite a challenging start in Cleveland, including fracturing his right thumb just 17 days after his trade to the team, Harden played through the injury. He was instrumental in the Cavaliers' postseason run, reaching the 29,000-point career milestone on March 8. The team advanced through thrilling seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons before being swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Following the end of the season, Harden expressed his desire to stay with the Cavaliers, stating, "Yes, 100 percent. Definitely both, to answer. [I] want to definitely. I think we found something. It's tough not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something."
To facilitate negotiations for a new deal, Harden declined his $42.3 million player option. He had also publicly aimed to recruit LeBron James to Cleveland to form a "Big 3" with Donovan Mitchell, a move that ultimately did not materialize as James headed to the 76ers.
Harden is set to begin the 2026-27 season facing his former team, with the Cavaliers scheduled to play LeBron James' 76ers in Philadelphia on October 22.
With a championship still missing from his resume, Harden will aim to achieve this goal with the sixth team of his 17-year NBA career in Cleveland.