James Harden just signed a three-year, $97 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, featuring a player option for the 2028-29 season and a trade kicker, according to a report by ESPNâs Shams Charania.Â
That contract not only allowed him to continue what he started with the Cavaliers last season, but also catapulted him to an exclusive list of some of the greatest players in NBA history.Â
According to Charania, the deal pushed his total career NBA earnings to approximately $511 million, making him just the fourth player in league history to cross the $500 million mark.
The three players before him are this generation’s greatest names: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.Â
Additionally, as he turns 37, he joins LeBron, a legend in Cleveland, as only the second player in NBA history to sign for over $90 million in guaranteed salary at age 37 or older.
âHarden’s career earnings will now reach $511 million, making him the fourth player in NBA history to eclipse the $500 million mark, joining the 76ers’ LeBron James, the Rockets’ Kevin Durant and the Warriors‘ Stephen Curry,â Charania wrote.Â
âHarden turns 37 next Wednesday (Aug. 26), and when the 11-time NBA All-Star officially signs, he will become the second player in league history to sign for over $90 million in guaranteed salary at age 37 or older, with LeBron being the other.â
Win-Win Deal For Cavaliers And James Harden
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – MAY 17: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers leaves the court at the end of the first half against the Detroit Pistons in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Harden chose to decline his $42.3 million player option in June to provide the front office with financial flexibility to navigate salary cap restrictions under the first and second tax aprons. Initially, this move was intended to give the Cavaliers a chance to sign LeBron James in free agency, but the 41-year-old ultimately chose the Philadelphia 76ers.
He then delayed signing the contract for nearly two months while the franchise pursued roster upgrades, which resulted in the acquisition of forward Peyton Watson via a sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets.Â
Harden is also taking a lower annual average salary of roughly $32.3 million. The former NBA MVP allowed Cleveland to reward his patience with a fully guaranteed third year while keeping the team beneath the hard-cap apron threshold.Â
The deal ensures that Harden, who joined Cleveland via trade from the Los Angeles Clippers in February, will play through his 20th NBA season.
James Harden Remains Solid With The Cavaliers
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 talks with James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
In the 2025-2026 NBA season, Harden put up 23.6 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game across 70 total regular-season games split between the LA Clippers and the Cavaliers. After joining Cleveland mid-season, he helped anchor their backcourt alongside Donovan Mitchell and played in 18 playoff games, averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds.
The Cavaliers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals in a sweep to the eventual NBA champions, the New York Knicks.Â
Next season will be a crucial one for Hardenâs chase for an NBA championship as the Cavaliers have improved their roster with the addition of Watson, on top of retaining key pieces such as Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.Â
Harden is the only player on the aforementioned earnings list without an NBA championship.Â
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