James Harden's Future With Cavaliers Emerging

It's only been 20 games thus far, but the marriage between James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers has gone swimmingly to this point. The team is 15-5 in games he's played, and they're banking on more of that come playoff time.

The Cavs are so convinced of the 36-year-old's potential to lead them to the promised land, that they're planning on signing him to a two-year extension after the season.

JUST IN: James Harden and the Cavaliers could agree to a 2-year, $75M+ deal this summer, reports @WeAreCavsNation

(h/t @Fullcourtpass)

More: https://t.co/aRsV9TuIR3 pic.twitter.com/mMkfgPbv54
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 27, 2026

That word comes to us from Ashish Mathur at Cavaliers Nation.

"Harden is expected to decline his player option for next season and re-sign with the Cavaliers, who acquired the future Hall of Famer from the Los Angeles Clippers on February 4," writes Mathur.

"Harden has a player option for next season worth $42.3 million. However, his salary is guaranteed only at $13.3 million.

Harden could sign two-year extension with Cavs worth $75M: Source

"One source told Cavaliers Nation that he thinks Cleveland and Harden could agree to a two-year, $75 million deal, with a player option for the 2027-28 season."

The Beard is averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game in a Cleveland uniform while shooting 45.2% from beyond the arc.

Harden is an 11-time All-Star and former MVP. However, he has never been able to transfer that kind of success to the playoffs in his 17-year career.

He's only been past the second round twice since leaving his original team, the OKC Thunder way back in 2012. Harden has never been able to lead a team as a starter to an NBA Finals. With OKC in that 2012 run, he was a Sixth Man, behind leading men Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Teaming with Donovan Mitchell now in Cleveland, the Cavs appear ready to bet that Harden will finally be able to get over the hump.