James Harden is not leaving the NBA anytime soon. He has signed a three-year contract that will put him on a historic list of players.
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According to ESPN, Harden has agreed to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has signed a three-year deal worth $97 million, one that includes a player option and a trade kicker. This deal will take his career earnings to over $500 million.
Harden is now the fourth player in NBA history to reach this historic milestone. The other three members of the $500 million club are LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets.
Harden will also join a historic list on Aug. 26, the day that he turns 37. He will become the second player of this age or older to sign for more than $90 million in guaranteed money. He will join James on this list.
An 11-time All-Star and former MVP, Harden has been in the league since becoming the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He has played for six teams — the Thunder, Rockets, Clippers, Nets, 76ers, and Cavaliers — while becoming a three-time scoring champ.
The one thing missing from Harden's resume is an NBA Finals trophy, which he will try to secure as he returns to the Cavaliers through his 20th season in the NBA.
Last season, the Cavaliers traded for Harden in exchange for Darius Garland. The team went 21-9 down the stretch and reached the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the Cavaliers lost the series 0-4 to the eventual champion Knicks.
The veteran player turned down his $42.3 million player option from the Cavaliers in June, but he had no intention of departing Cleveland. He and his agents continued to work with the team to ensure his return for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers traded for Peyton Watson and worked out a contract extension with Donovan Mitchell to further bolster the lineup.
