Back with the Cleveland Cavaliers for multiple years, James Harden is tasked with maximizing a high-ceiling core and sparking the offense through deep postseason runs.
James Harden signing a brand-new multi-year contract comes as no surprise, as the Cleveland Cavaliers veteran publicly voiced his desire to return at the end of the team's playoff run.
Having come to an agreement with their seasoned floor general, the Cleveland Cavaliers are moving forward with a core of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Peyton Watson, and Jarrett Allen. It is a fresh version of a team that has taken steps forward, but faltered deeper into the postseason.
The Cavs are banking on their latest vision coming together naturally, as everybody is financially set with long-term security. Harden and Allen have the shortest deals but are with the organization through the 2028-29 campaign (provided Harden opts in to his player option, which, at that age, is highly likely).
Harden appears to be all in on this stay in Cleveland, chasing that elusive first championship and doing so with a group he believes in. There shouldn't be any worries about the regular season, as the Wine and Gold should be talented enough to make it through 82 games with the depth and youth in the building now.
The question is whether Harden and Mitchell can pick their spots better, find their talented big men, and work together to get over the hump in the playoffs.
In the latest episode of Courtside with Cavs, Spencer German and I discussed Harden being back in the fold as expected, and what he can build on from his initial short few months in Cleveland:
James had guys out in Arizona. He had Meleek Thomas, Tyrese Proctor, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Evan Mobley, and all of the young guys out there. Kenny Atkinson was there and assistant Mike Gerrity. To me, that shows his commitment.
They needed him back because he organizes things and definitely gets guys into spots and communicates. He can continue to get that chemistry with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley up; he needs to do it more consistently, involving the bigs, as does Donovan Mitchell. Harden also has to improve his chemistry with Donovan, and those guys need to continue to sharpen the iron.
With a mind in the right place and contract negotiations not being a factor, Harden's focus will solely be on making the Cavs a title team.
He can best do that by being the engine of the offense, working as a pick-and-roll ball-handler to find his guys in the pocket to get opposing defenses in rotation. Mobley can play-make off the catch, and Allen has dang-near-perfect footwork. Watson can be a threat on lobs as well.
A Harden step-back or two wouldn't hurt, but good shot selection and decision-making will be the factors that make the difference.
If there's a group eager to erase individual and team narratives perpetuated around it, following a sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, it's Cleveland.
