James Harden opts out but expects to re-sign with Cavaliers on multiyear contract: Source

As expected, 11-time All-Star James Harden declined the $42.3 million player’s option on his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and will enter free agency, though the two sides are negotiating a multiyear deal for him to return to the team that traded for him in February, a league source told The Athletic.

Harden, 36, had until 11:59 p.m. on June 29 to pick up his option, which was negotiated as part of the two-year, $81.5 million deal he signed with the LA Clippers last summer. The Cavs traded two-time All-Star guard Darius Garland at the February deadline last season for Harden, who wanted to come to Cleveland and has publicly stated his strong desire and intention to re-sign there.

Having Harden decline his option for a new, longer deal with the Cavs should lead to more guaranteed money for the player while giving the Cavs some much-needed financial flexibility.

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Harden’s yearly salary is expected to drop into the $28 million to $30 million range, but he can sign a contract that extends for up to three seasons. Cleveland, meanwhile, carried the highest payroll in the NBA last year and is searching for ways to get under the NBA’s punitive salary aprons (the second, most restrictive apron is projected to be $222 million) without major disruptions to the roster. Harden trimming $12-$14 million off his salary for next season helps.

Did the Cavs really have “bad luck”?

Dave DuFour and Mike Vorkunov

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Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games for the Cavs. They reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018 — and first since 1992 without LeBron James on the roster. The Cavs strongly believe Harden’s veteran presence, size and physical toughness were major reasons why. He averaged 19.2 points and 5.5 assists in the playoffs, but shot less than 30 percent from 3-point range and averaged 3.2 turnovers.

“I think we found something,” Harden said after the Cavs were swept out of the conference finals by the eventual champion New York Knicks. His point was that the Cavs only had a few months to jell with him on the roster, and the team should be even better with more time.

Earlier this month, Harden was arrested in Houston and charged with unlawfully carrying a gun in his car, a misdemeanor. He has an arraignment hearing scheduled for Aug. 3 in Harris County, Texas, where he keeps an offseason home.

James Harden opts out but expects to re-sign with Cavaliers on multiyear contract: Source

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