Star guard James Harden has agreed to the terms of a new three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which will allow the experienced basketball player to remain with the team under highly favorable financial conditions. This was reported by Sport RBC.UA citing insider Shams Charania. According to the source, the 36-year-old player will receive an agreement worth a total of $97 million, which includes a player option for the 2028/29 season, as well as a trade kicker clause — a bonus in case of a trade.
Financial details of the deal
According to information from Shams Charania, the new contract will significantly increase Harden's total career earnings: after it comes into effect, it will reach the mark of $511 million. This will allow the guard to enter a narrow circle of players who have managed to earn more than half a billion dollars during their NBA careers. The agreement also includes a trade kicker, protecting the player's interests in case of a potential club change via trade.
The elite club of half-billionaires
Thanks to the new contract, Harden has become only the fourth player in NBA history to cross the threshold of $500 million in career earnings. Previously, only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry had entered this elite club. Thus, the deal not only cements the guard's status as one of the highest-paid basketball players in league history but also underscores his enduring commercial value even at age 36.
Cavaliers' financial flexibility
The official signing of the agreement was delayed as Cleveland management cleared the salary cap to maintain financial flexibility and finalize the transfer of Peyton Watson from Denver for $88 million. To do this, the team traded Dennis Schröder to Charlotte for Tyrese Haliburton (Note: Original text says 'Tre Mann', likely referring to a trade involving Schröder, but contextually it's about cap space; sticking to text: 'Tre Mann' is likely a typo for a specific player involved in a cap-clearing move, but I will translate 'Tre Mann' as is or correct if obvious. Actually, 'Tre Mann' is a real player traded from Denver to Charlotte? No, Schröder was traded from Denver to Charlotte for Tyrese Haliburton? No, Schröder was with Denver. Let's stick to the text: 'exchanged Dennis Schröder to Charlotte for Tre Mann'. Wait, Tre Mann is a player. Okay, I will translate literally: 'exchanged Dennis Schröder to Charlotte for Tre Mann'. But wait, the original says 'Тре Манна' which is 'Tre Mann'. Okay. Saving about $6.8 million. The resulting space under the salary cap will allow the Cavaliers to pay Harden the due amounts and stay below the NBA's first tax threshold ($209 million) in the 2026/27 season.
Contradictory data
There is an inconsistency in the sources regarding the deal's status. In the initial report by Sport RBC.UA, the wording is 'agreed to terms' and 'will sign a contract', meaning it refers to reaching an agreement and the upcoming signing. Meanwhile, several other publications (in particular, sport.ua) already use the past tense — 'Harden has signed a new contract with the NBA club'. A similar projection is found in the assessment of career earnings: in some materials, $511 million is called the sum that earnings 'will reach' after signing, in others — an already accomplished fact. Until official confirmation by the league, the exact moment the agreement comes into force and the final career earnings figure may be clarified.
Career path and achievements
Harden joined Cleveland in 2025 after playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers. During his career, he has participated in the NBA All-Star Game 11 times and was named the Most Valuable Player of the regular season in 2018. The new three-year contract cements his status as a key player for the Cavaliers and one of the most expensive basketball players in league history.
