Cavaliers make Harden's three-year, $97 million return official

The agreement was reached 19 days before Tuesday's signing.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 81 min read

What happened: The contract includes a 2028-29 player option and a trade kicker, according to [NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/james-harden-cavaliers-free-agency). Harden declined his $42.3 million option for 2026-27 in June before negotiating the new pact.

Why it matters: The deal gives Cleveland contract certainty at guard entering 2026-27. The option gives Harden control over the final season, while the trade kicker could raise the cost of a future trade.

By the numbers: Harden made 215 three-pointers in 2025-26, ranking 15th in the NBA, while recording 20 double-doubles and two triple-doubles, according to the [Cavaliers' announcement](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/cavaliers-officially-sign-james-harden-182059837.html).

What to watch: Training camp will provide the first look at Harden's role in Cleveland's 2026-27 rotation.

Sources

r/nba 2026-09-08T21:02:28.134271+00:00

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