Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson got honest about coaching James Harden.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is not only one of the best players in NBA history, but he's also very, very durable.
And being available for his new teammates all the time is something Kenny Atkinson loves.
“This is completely new for me,” Atkinson said, via The Athletic. “I’ve never had so much confidence in just, like, playing a guy. … He plays at his own pace, he never overdoes anything in terms of conserving energy. There’s some guys that play a million miles an hour, and he’s just got a pace about him. He’s so smart about the game that you feel more comfortable.
“Somehow he figures out how to play this game without, like, overdoing it physically. Normally, you think twice, right? With Donovan (Mitchell), I’m very aware when I got to get him out, when I get him in. But this is really the first player I’ve ever had where you’re like, man, just run him the whole quarter. He doesn’t wear it on his face either, the fatigue.”
The Cavaliers acquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden has a player option for next season worth $42.3 million. However, his salary for next season is guaranteed only at $13.3 million.
Most people around the NBA believe Harden will decline his 2026-27 player option and sign a new contract with the Cavaliers. Yossi Gozlan of the Third Apron thinks Cleveland and Harden could agree to a two-year, $75 million deal.
"Perhaps the Cavaliers can get him back on a two-year deal in the $75 million range," Gozlan wrote. "That would help subsidize a new contract for Keon Ellis while keeping Harden locked in through his age-38 season."
Harden has appeared in 22 games with the Cavaliers since the blockbuster trade with the Clippers. The 2018 MVP is averaging 20.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game in a Cleveland uniform while shooting 47.6% from the field, 43.7% from beyond the arc and 82.2% from the free-throw line.
“Building relationships — (Atkinson), the entire organization,” Harden said. “It’s fairly new, but it’s moments like this where we get to know each other. I’m excited to be a part of this journey, this organization, and (we’ve) got some good things ahead of us.”
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