The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially re-signed guard James Harden to a three-year, $97 million contract. Harden had delayed finalizing the deal pending LeBron James' free agency decision, as well as Cleveland's sign-and-trade acquisition of Peyton Watson.

Harden appeared in 70 games last season, all starts, split between 44 games with the Los Angeles Clippers and 26 with the Cavaliers following a February trade. He averaged 23.6 points along with 8.0 assists, fourth in the league, 4.8 rebounds and 1.13 steals in 34.8 minutes per game. Harden also shot a career-best 88.4 percent from the free-throw line, ranking 15th in the NBA.

In his 26 games with Cleveland, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 33.8 minutes.

Cleveland posted a 19-7 record with Harden in the lineup following the trade. He helped guide the Cavaliers to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2018 and the ninth in franchise history. During the 2026 playoffs, Harden appeared in 18 games, all starts, averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.72 steals in 37.3 minutes.