James Harden returns to Cavaliers with new 3-year, $97 million deal

As expected, James Harden isn’t going anywhere.

The 11-time All-Star agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday, August 20, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The deal includes a player option in the final season – 2028-29 – and a trade kicker.

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The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss terms of the deal. ESPN was first to report the news.

Harden, who will turn 37 on Aug. 26, was a key piece of Cleveland’s operation last season after the Cavs acquired him in a February trade. In 26 games with Cleveland last season, he averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. He starred alongside Donovan Mitchell and helped lead Cleveland to the Eastern Conference finals, where the Cavs were swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.

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NBA champions through the years

2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)

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NBA champions through the years

2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)

(Dustin Safranek, Imagn Images)

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2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games)

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2024: Boston Celtics (beat Dallas Mavericks in five games)

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2023: Denver Nuggets (beat Miami Heat in five games)

(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)

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NBA champions through the years

2022: Golden State Warriors (beat Boston Celtics in six games)

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2021: Milwaukee Bucks (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)

(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

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2020: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Miami Heat in six games)

(Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)

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2019: Toronto Raptors (beat Golden State Warriors in six games)

(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)

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Publish date : 2026-08-20 19:07:00

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