James Harden reportedly declines $42.3 million option with Cavaliers, but wants to stick with team

James Harden would like to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, but wants a long-term deal to make that a reality. Because of that, Harden reportedly declined his one-year, $42.3 million option with the team, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Despite declining that option, the 36-year-old Harden is working with the team on a multiyear extension, per Charania.

Harden’s new deal will likely result in the guard making more money over multiple years, but at a decreased annual salary. The Cavaliers carried the highest payroll in basketball last season, and are reportedly looking to cut costs as much as possible while trying to maintain a similar core of players, per The Athletic. If Harden comes back at a lower salary next season, it would help give the team some financial flexibility.

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Harden performed well with the Cavaliers in a brief 26-game stint after a midseason trade, averaging 20.5 points and 7.7 assists. He put up similar numbers during the team’s playoff run, averaging 19.2 points in 18 games.

Following the Cavaliers’ loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Harden said he believed the team “found something” toward the end of the year, meaning he felt the team was finally starting to come together.

That, apparently, wasn’t just lip service, and Harden wants to remain with the Cavaliers to see what the team can build.

The Cavaliers have been among the best teams in the Eastern Conference over the past four seasons, but have yet to win an NBA championship with the current core.

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Harden, similarly, is still looking for his first title. Despite being one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, Harden has reached the NBA Finals just once in 17 playoff appearances. That came back in the 2011-12 NBA season, when Harden was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder lost to the Miami Heat in the Finals in five games that season.

After a lengthy stint with the Houston Rockets, Harden has bounced around to multiple franchises in recent seasons. He’s seen time with the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers, leading…

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Author : Chris Cwik

Publish date : 2026-06-29 13:18:00

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