Latest James Harden Rumors Reveal Cavs Contract Timeline amid NBA Free Agency Buzz

As the Cleveland Cavaliers figure out ways to get under the second apron this offseason, they also appear to be nearing an agreement with James Harden on a new contract.

Per NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the expectation is the Cavs and Harden "should soon" reach a verbal agreement on multiyear deal.

When the Cavaliers acquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the trade deadline in February, there was some uncertainty about his future with the organization.

Harden's current deal includes a player option for $42.3 million in 2026-27, though it is only partially guaranteed for $13.3 million until July 11 when it becomes fully guaranteed.

Despite the Cavs being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said in no uncertain terms that Harden would be back with Cleveland, likely on a deal that would allow the club to get below the second apron.

The Cavs are currently projected to be just $210,758 over the second apron, so it's not hard for them to get under that figure. But the trick is how far under they can get in order to make other moves that might bring them closer to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

Harden played 26 regular-season games with the Cavs after the trade. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per contest.

Cleveland had the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA from the time Harden made his debut on Feb. 7 through the end of the regular season.

The postseason was yet another disappointment for Harden, as he averaged 19.2 points on 41.0 percent shooting, 5.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds per contest in 18 games.

Despite the playoff crash out for Harden and the Cavs, this season was the first time they reached the Eastern Conference Finals without LeBron James on the roster since 1992.