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Report: James Harden returns to Cleveland on 3-year deal
Aug 20 2026 19:21 · By From NBA.com News Services · 5 Reads
James Harden is entering his 18th season and has career averages of 24.0 points, 7.3 assists and 5.6 rebounds.
James Harden has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $97 million deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers,
per ESPN’s Shams Charania
. The deal has a player option in the third season.
Harden
opted out of his player option
for the 2026-27 season in June, reportedly seeking more long-term security.
BREAKING: James Harden has agreed to a new three-year, $97 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a player option and a trade kicker, agents Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports told ESPN.
pic.twitter.com/b9jnBykly8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
August 20, 2026
The 11-time All-Star and 2018 Kia NBA MVP joined the Cavaliers last season in a
trade deadline deal
with the LA Clippers and instantly became the focal offensive initiator in Cleveland alongside Donovan Mitchell. Harden averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game during the regular season.
The Cavaliers reached the
Eastern Conference Finals
last season but were ultimately swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks. With a full offseason to build chemistry with Harden and integrate new pieces into the lineup, Cleveland will look to put together another successful season and make another deep playoff run.
NBA.com will have more on this story as it develops.