James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers are moving closer to a new contract, with the two sides continuing to work through different structures before reaching an agreement. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported Monday on NBA Today that Cleveland expects a resolution soon after both sides have remained patient throughout the process.
“The Cavaliers are working through different iterations of a deal, trying to come up with something that’s best for James and also best for them,” Spears said. “And to James’ credit, they’re saying that he’s been patient, his people has been patient, and I hear that they expect a resolution to come soon for him to re-sign.”
The Cavaliers are balancing Harden’s value against their long-term salary structure. According to Marc Stein, league sources expect Harden’s new contract to include no more than two guaranteed seasons, while the total salary remains fluid as Cleveland explores a potential move for Jonathan Kuminga.
That approach would allow Cleveland to retain Harden without committing significant salary beyond the immediate championship window. The Cavaliers are also trying to avoid crossing the NBA’s second salary-cap apron for a second consecutive season, making the structure of Harden’s agreement particularly important.
Harden joined Cleveland at the February trade deadline in the deal that sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers. The move gave the Cavaliers a veteran primary ball-handler alongside Donovan Mitchell while maintaining their frontcourt pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Harden averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 26 regular-season games with Cleveland. He shot 46.6% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range after shooting 41.9% overall and 34.7% from three in 44 games with the Clippers.
Across 70 games for the two teams, Harden averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 43.4% from the field and 37.5% from three. He also converted 88.4% of his free throws during his 17th NBA season.
The Cavaliers finished 52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference, and advanced to the conference finals after defeating Toronto in seven games and Detroit in seven. Cleveland then lost four consecutive games to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, with New York eventually winning the NBA championship over San Antonio.
