{"id":2019726,"date":"2026-06-30T18:49:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2019726"},"modified":"2026-06-30T18:49:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:49:35","slug":"james-harden-waiting-to-re-sign-to-give-cavaliers-flexibility-possibly-for-lebron-james-sources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2019726","title":{"rendered":"James Harden waiting to re-sign to give Cavaliers flexibility, possibly for LeBron James: Sources"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Cleveland Cavaliers might be able to pay LeBron James more than the minimum, and James Harden could be the key to making it happen.<\/p>\n

On Monday, Harden declined his $42.3 million player option<\/a> and is now a free agent. He is expected to return to Cleveland on a new contract, but Harden is waiting to sign to give the Cavs the flexibility they need to make a move like adding LeBron for next season, according to a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations.<\/p>\n

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One of the main factors commonly cited for James not returning to Cleveland is the small salary available for him there due to the league\u2019s salary cap rules. The Cavs\u2019 roster appeared to be too expensive for them to pay him anything other than the minimum, which is roughly $4 million, and the rules appeared too punitive for them to shed salary to pay him more while remaining competitive.<\/p>\n

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But if Harden were to accept a salary of $30 million for next season, the Cavs would be right at the NBA\u2019s projected first apron of $209 million in salary. They would need to dip roughly $16 million below that to access the non-taxpayer midlevel exception to the salary cap. If Cleveland can trim that much money, it can offer LeBron that contract \u2014 starting at a projected $15 million salary \u2014 for next season.<\/p>\n

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What are NBA lottery picks’ favorite LeBron memories?<\/div>\n
Eric Nehm<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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