HoopsHype ranked James Harden ninth among NBA point guards for 2026-27 before the 11-time All-Star re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
HoopsHype ranked James Harden ninth among NBA point guards for 2026-27. The list ran Aug. 14, when Harden was still a free agent.
Harden agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The deal includes a player option for 2028-29 and a 15% trade kicker. He had declined a $42.3 million player option before free agency, but was always expected to return. The new agreement starts lower annually and runs three years instead of one.
Last season, he averaged 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists over 70 games. He had a shooting percentage of 43.4% from the field and 37.5% from three, along with 1.1 steals per game. He ranked 14th in VORP and 19th in BPM league-wide.
On February 4, Cleveland obtained him from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, which was used to select Henri Veesaar. During 26 regular-season games with the Cavaliers, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, shooting 46.6% from the field and 43.5% from three.
Harden's postseason stats declined, averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, with a shooting percentage of 41.0% from the field and 29.9% from three.
Cleveland defeated Detroit in seven games during the second round and advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2018. However, the Cavaliers' run ended when the New York Knicks swept them.
Harden and the roster around him had half a season together, and he wanted the other half, he said after the sweep.
"I think we found something," Harden said.
A full training camp and a healthy roster were what he thought the group was missing, he told Marc J. Spears of Andscape in May.
"I feel like we got it if we [add] a couple more pieces," Harden explained.
Garland is ranked 18th on the same list, indicating a higher projection when compared to Donovan Mitchell.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished in first place, with Luka Dončić, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Maxey right behind. Stephen Curry was sixth, and Tyrese Haliburton came seventh.
Harden celebrated his 37th birthday on Aug. 26. His contract extends through the 2028-29 season, when he will be 39, marking his 20th NBA season. He is now beginning his 18th.
The deal pushes his career earnings to roughly $511 million. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry are the only other players past $500 million.
Harden has made 11 All-Star teams and won MVP in 2018. He has not won a championship.
Cleveland is hard-capped at the first apron this season after using a sign-and-trade to acquire Peyton Watson. Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million maximum extension in July and ranked second on the HoopsHype shooting guard list published Aug. 28.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson is expected to start Harden and Mitchell alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland added Peyton Watson, Mario Hezonja, and Meleek Thomas, while moving on from Dennis Schröder, Dean Wade, and Max Strus.
