James Harden is staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers after agreeing a new three-year contract worth $97 million.
The 36-year-old guard, who won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2018, will remain in Ohio on a deal that takes his career earnings over the $500 million mark.
The contract includes a player option and a trade kicker, according to ESPN. It will bring his total career earnings to $511 million, ranking him fourth in NBA history behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
Harden will officially sign the agreement after his birthday next Wednesday. LeBron James is the only other player to have signed such a lucrative contract over the age of 37.
Harden joined Cleveland in February following a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. His start with the team was disrupted when he fractured his right thumb against the New York Knicks, just 17 days after his arrival.
He continued to play through the injury and helped the Cavaliers reach the playoffs. Along the way, the 11-time All-Star became only the ninth player in NBA history to pass 29,000 career points, reaching the milestone on March 8.
Playoff run and roster moves
In the postseason, Harden helped Cleveland secure thrilling seven-game series victories over the Toronto Raptors and the Detroit Pistons.
The campaign ended in disappointment when they were swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
When asked immediately after the season if he wanted to stay in Cleveland, Harden made his intentions clear.
"Yes, 100 percent," he said. "Definitely both, to answer. [I] want to definitely. I think we found something. It's tough not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something."
Following those comments, Harden rejected a $42.3 million player option to negotiate this new long-term arrangement.
Championship ambitions
The three-year structure lowers his annual salary, which has assisted Cleveland in building their roster. This included acquiring Denver star Peyton Watson, with Harden playing a key role in recruiting him.
He also made a public attempt to convince LeBron James to return to Cleveland and form a high-profile trio alongside himself and Donovan Mitchell.
"That's our objective, that's what we're working toward... hopefully it happens within the next few days," Harden said at the time.
James ultimately chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers instead.
Harden is now preparing for his 17th season in the league and is still searching for his first NBA Championship. Cleveland is the sixth team of his career.
The Cavaliers will open their 2026/27 season on October 22 against LeBron James and the 76ers, which will be Harden's first game back in Philadelphia against his former team.
