Report: James Harden's Next Cavs Deal to Cap at Two Guaranteed Years

James Harden's next contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers is still expected to be no more than two guaranteed years. Jake Fischer reported the expectation Monday for The Stein Line. The specific salary number is not settled, league sources told Fischer.

Harden declined a $42.3 million player option June 29. He and the Cavaliers have been working through a new multiyear agreement since. ESPN's Shams Charania said Monday he fully expects Harden to re-sign in Cleveland. Harden is willing to spread the money across three seasons.

The Cavaliers traded Darius Garland and a second-round pick to the LA Clippers for Harden at the February deadline. Harden played 26 games in Cleveland and averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. He shot 46.6% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range. In the playoffs he averaged 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 18 games. He shot 29.9% from three in those games. Harden turns 37 on Aug. 26.

Cleveland has continued to maintain interest in Jonathan Kuminga even after signing Mario Hezonja to a one-year, $2.85 million contract, Fischer reported. The Cavaliers remain determined to stay out of the second apron.

Adding Kuminga would require a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks, and Fischer reported the Cavaliers have found it challenging to assemble a construction Atlanta would find suitable. Atlanta declined Kuminga's $24.3 million team option in June. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was Steve Kerr's lead assistant in Golden State for Kuminga's first three seasons.

Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, spoke with The Athletic last week.

"Jonathan likes the Cavs, likes (coach) Kenny Atkinson, and (star) Donovan Mitchell likes him," Turner said.

Cleveland sits roughly $25.3 million below the first apron and just under $38 million below the second. The taxpayer mid-level exception would start Kuminga at $6.1 million and total $12.4 million across two seasons. The Cavaliers would be hard-capped at the second apron if they use it.

The Cavaliers have been resistant to attaching draft capital to trade packages that would move Max Strus or Dennis Schröder, Fischer reported. Strus is owed about $16 million and Schröder about $14.7 million, with both contracts expiring next summer. Cleveland acquired Schröder and Keon Ellis from Sacramento in February for De'Andre Hunter. Strus made his season debut in March after missing the first 67 games with a foot injury.

Atlanta has made its interest in Jarrett Allen known to Cleveland and has done so for some time, Fischer reported. The Cavaliers have not entertained moving Allen. Allen averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 56 games last season and is entering the first season of a three-year, $90.72 million extension that pays him $28 million in 2026-27.

Cleveland went 52-30 and finished fourth in the East. New York swept the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. It was the franchise's first conference finals appearance since 2018. Cleveland had not reached one without LeBron James on the roster since 1992. Thomas Bryant re-signed for one year and $3.5 million.

The Cavaliers have 13 guaranteed contracts on the roster. The 2026-27 trade deadline falls in February.