New James Harden Rumors on Cavs Future, Contract Ahead of Player Option Decision in NBA Free Agency

ESPN's Brian Windhorst feels that James Harden is a lock to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers despite not yet being signed for next season.

Harden has until June 29 to make a decision on the $42.3 million player option he holds for the 2026-27 season.

"James Harden is going to be a Cav next year," Windhorst said Tuesday on Get Up. "He's going to sign a new contract, in all likelihood. He's going to opt out of his contract and sign a new deal, and that new deal will probably be structured in a way that will allow the Cavs to dip below the second apron.

"And once they've done that, it can bring in the availability of them to make a major trade."

Harden told reporters Monday night after the Cavaliers' season ended with an Eastern Conference Finals sweep by the New York Knicks that he "100 percent" wants to return to Cleveland next season.

When asked Monday night if he wanted and expected to return to the Cavaliers, Harden answered: "Yes, 100 percent, definitely both... yes, definitely want to be here."

Donovan Mitchell, who is extension eligible and has one guaranteed season remaining on his contract, also told reporters he lovs Cleveland and felt he had "unfinished business" with the team.

The Cavaliers were the only team over the second apron this season, per Spotrac. The team is currently projected by Spotrac to once more exceed the second apron next season.

Having Harden decline his player option and renegotiate a new deal for a lower annual salary could potentially help the Cavaliers slide back below the second apron, which limits what moves the team can make this offseason by stopping them from aggregating contracts to match incoming salary in a potential trade.

ESPN's Bobby Marks projected a two-year, $56 million contract with a first-year salary of $28 million as one option that would allow the Cavs to re-sign Harden while dipping below the second apron.

Windhorst named LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo as two start players the Cavaliers could potentially target should the team dip below the second apron.

James, who is entering unrestricted free agency this summer, has been tied to a potential reunion with his former team, while ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Cavaliers pursued Antetokounmpo at the February deadline.

What the Cavaliers could offer for Antetokounmpo is unclear, especially as The Athletic's Joe Vardon recently reported the Cavs have "shown no interest" in trading Evan Mobley for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar.

Should the Cavaliers decide to pursue a star like Antetokounmpo, however, gaining salary cap flexibility by reworking Harden's contract to get the team below the second apron could be crucial to putting together a trade.