James Harden could get paid a lot of money.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may wind up backing out of sign-and-trade talks for Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson as James Harden and his camp grow impatient awaiting his contract, per NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Harden could get paid "handsomely."
The Cavaliers made the conference finals last season, losing to the New York Knicks in four quick games. Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per game for Cleveland in the regular season and 19.2 points and 5.5 assists per game in the playoffs. The future Hall of Famer still hasn't won a championship.
Cleveland traded Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire Harden, who declined his player option for next season.
The Cavaliers need a starting small forward after losing Dean Wade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Franchise legend LeBron James also went to the 76ers instead of coming home.
Without LeBron, the Cavaliers' core remains the same: Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. We'll see if that core can get over the hump next season.
The Cavaliers did sign Mario Hezonja after LeBron went to the 76ers. The next step is to re-sign Harden, who has career averages of 24.0 points and 7.3 assists per game.
Harden and the Cavaliers got good news this week, as the misdemeanor unlawful carrying of weapons charge Harden was hit with, stemming from his June arrest, was dropped Thursday, according to court records reviewed by The California Post.
Harris County, Texas, prosecutors wrote in a motion to dismiss the case that they were seeking to dispose of the matter after Harden had completed an “alternative resolution agreement.”
The biggest move the Cavaliers made this summer was signing Mitchell to a massive extension. Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs in a Cleveland uniform.
