The Cavaliers have locked in a 3-year, $97 million contract extension for Harden.

August 21st - According to ESPN , free agent James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $ 97 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The contract includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and trade compensation clauses.

James Harden will turn 37 on August 26th , and this contract will allow him to play at least his 20th NBA season. Reportedly, only LeBron James and Kevin Durant have earned over $ 500 million in career earnings in NBA history . Harden's current career earnings are approximately $ 414 million, and if this new contract is successfully completed, he will join that group.

In June of this year , Harden declined his $ 42.3 million player option. After free agency opened, he and his agent began contract extension negotiations with the Cavaliers, discussing two-year and three-year options. Ultimately, Harden chose to give the team ample time to make moves, allowing the Cavaliers to further strengthen their roster during the offseason.

James Harden was acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade in February of this year and quickly became the team's core guard. After the All-Star break, he averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game, helping the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018 .

It's worth noting that Harden is the second-most three-pointers made in NBA history, second only to Stephen Curry. Entering the new season, his career total points ranking has risen to 9th in league history . The 2018 NBA regular season MVP has won the scoring title three times and the assist title twice.

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