Cleveland Cavaliers Reach Extension With Star Guard James Harden

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made another big offseason move, re-signing star guard James Harden on a three-year, $97 million deal that includes a player option and a trade kicker.

The Cavs acquired Harden at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers. 

Harden played well for Cleveland, averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7,7 assists per game in 26 regular season games with the franchise. The 36-year-old shot 46.6 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three.

The 11-time All-Star waited to sign a new deal to allow the Cavs the flexibility to make a major move to upgrade the roster. Cleveland cashed in on that opportunity yesterday, pulling off a sign-and-trade deal for forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets.

The Cavs traded Max Strus to the Clippers and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick plus a 2032 second-round pick via the Sacramento Kings to the Denver Nuggets in the deal. Cleveland also gave Watson a four-year, $88 million extension that includes a player option and a trade kicker.

Watson will be a key starter at small forward for the Cavs, as he's coming off a career year. In the 2025-26 season, Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from behind the arc.

The 23-year-old will be a great fit, bringing athleticism, defense, and shooting to the team alongside the star backcourt of Harden and Donovan Mitchell and their frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Cleveland needed to make a significant move to upgrade the roster after they were swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks.

Other teams in the East have made major upgrades, including the Miami Heat's acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Philadelphia 76ers' addition of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and the Toronto Raptors possibly adding Kawhi Leonard.

While the Cavs didn't land a star, they already have four All-Stars in their starting lineup and have now added Watson, who will be a great fit. Cleveland should thank Harden for his patience in securing his new contract, as it gave them the flexibility to improve the team for a title push in the 2026-27 season.