Cavs Made Major James Harden Mistake in Offseason

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the season looking to contend for an NBA title after they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2025-26 season.

The Cavs were swept in that series, but kept their core together in the offseason, including re-signing James Harden to a three-year, $97 million deal. Harden was a key addition at the 2026 trade deadline, as they sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Harden played well in the 2025-26 season but has struggled in 2026-27, making the extension for the 37-year-old guard a mistake. 

Through 12 games, he is averaging 16.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, shooting 39 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three. Harden hasn't been efficient and is also turning the ball over 2.9 times per game.

The former MVP had his best game of the season against the New York Knicks, finishing with 32 points, two rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game, shooting 9-for-14 from the floor, 5-for-7 from deep, and 9-for-11 from the free-throw line.

Cleveland will hope he can continue to perform at this level, providing scoring and playmaking at a higher clip. In 26 games for the Cavs in the 2025-26 season, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from beyond the arc.

If the Cavs can get him to play at that level over the next few years, he will be worth the contract they gave him. However, early in the season, Harden hasn't been consistent enough.

Prior to his strong performance against the Knicks, Cleveland had a net rating of -5.6 when Harden was on the floor compared to +15.7 when he was off the floor. Their offensive rating was 108.6 with him and 123.5 without him. He was also struggling to finish at the rim, shooting 36 percent at the rim, ranking him last in the NBA among the 130 qualified players.

That production isn't enough to validate the three-year deal he signed in the offseason.

The 11-time All-Star doesn't need to put up the MVP numbers he once did, but the Cavs need him to be more consistent, shoot efficiently, and be a great playmaker to help Cleveland win games.

The Cavs are off to a 6-6 start and are in sixth place in the East. If they want to compete for an NBA title this season, they will need more consistent play from their stars, including Harden, or it could be a lost season.