A misdemeanor gun charge against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was dismissed by a Texas judge on Thursday after he completed an alternative resolution program.
Harris County Criminal Court Judge Alex Salgado dismissed the case seven weeks after Harden's arraignment at the request of the district attorney's office. Court records show such programs allow defendants to avoid a criminal conviction through community service, though documents do not detail the exact terms of Harden's agreement.
June arrest in Houston
Harden was arrested in the middle of the night on June 13 in Houston after police found an unholstered handgun in plain view inside his vehicle. Charge documents from the Harris County District Clerk's Office state he was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in a motor vehicle before being released on a $100 bond.
Under Texas law, carrying a gun in plain view inside a vehicle without a license is a misdemeanor carrying penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
Cavaliers contract and NBA career
The 36-year-old guard finished his 17th NBA season in May when the eventual champion New York Knicks swept Cleveland in four games during the Eastern Conference finals. Harden played in 70 of 82 regular season games and averaged 23.6 points per game.
He has stated he wants to stay with the Cavaliers but declined a $42.3 million option for next season to seek a longer contract, which has not yet been finalized.
Harden is an 11-time All-Star and eight-time All-NBA selection who earned MVP honors during the 2017-18 season with the Houston Rockets, averaging 30.4 points per game. That season, the Rockets won the Eastern Conference championship before losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals. Since leaving Houston, he has played for the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers, who traded him to Cleveland this season.
