JAMES HARDEN SIGNS THREE-YEAR, $97 MILLION DEAL WITH CAVALIERS

James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to reports on Thursday. The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and a trade kicker. Harden, who will turn 37 in August, declined his player option for the following season to pursue a longer-term agreement with the franchise.

The contract represents a significant commitment from Cleveland following the team's acquisition of Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers in February. Harden's career earnings will now reach $511 million, making him the fourth player in NBA history to eclipse the $500 million mark, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. At his age, Harden becomes only the second player to secure over $90 million in guarantees, following James, who signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2024.

The deal provides the Cavaliers financial flexibility to strengthen their roster elsewhere. On Wednesday, the team acquired wing Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets through a five-team sign-and-trade, awarding Watson a four-year, $88 million contract. The Cavaliers' negotiations with Harden took nearly two months to finalise following his initial choice to join the Philadelphia 76ers.