Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has declined his $42.3-million player option for the 2026-27 campaign and is working on a new multi-year deal with Cleveland, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The 36-year-old averaged 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and eight assists on 43.4% shooting across 70 regular-season outings in 2025-26 with the Cavs and Los Angeles Clippers.
Harden helped guide the Cavs to the Eastern Conference finals after joining the team in a blockbuster trade in February. Cleveland's run ended with a sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks, with the veteran guard averaging 16 points on 37.4% shooting in the four-game series.
The 2026-27 campaign will mark Harden's 18th in the NBA. The Cavaliers are the sixth franchise of Harden's career following spells with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Clippers.
The 11-time All-Star and former MVP is currently ninth on the all-time scoring list with 29,339 career regular-season points scored and is 2,080 points away from passing Wilt Chamberlain for eighth.
He is also second on the all-time regular season list for made 3-pointers (3,390), 12th in assists (8,873), and 46th for all-time regular season games played with 1,221.
