New James Harden Rumors Tease Cavs Contract Timeline Amid Max Strus Trade Buzz

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a relatively quiet offseason so far, but it sounds like that could change in the coming weeks.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, a source said star guard James Harden's new multiyear deal with the Cavs should be completed "soon-ish." Other league sources told Stein that the team "remains in active search of a trade to send out Max Strus as Strus enters the final year of his current contract at $16.7 million."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Cavs "remain in constant communication" with Harden and his agents "on a new two- or three-year contract to return to Cleveland." Earlier this summer, he declined his $42.3 million player option for 2026-27, but the goal had always been to return to the team on a multiyear deal.

Harden joined the Cavs as part of a midseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 36-year-old helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals while elevating players like star guard Donovan Mitchell and veteran center Jarrett Allen.

The Cavs have already begun making changes to their roster, as they traded veteran guard Dennis Schroder and cash to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Tre Mann on Friday. Charania also reported that they are pursuing restricted free agent guard Peyton Watson and unrestricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. Trading Strus would free up even more cap space to facilitate a deal with those players.

Getting Harden's deal done appears to be Cleveland's top priority, but the team also needs to fill other holes on the roster if it hopes to make a deeper run in the playoffs next season.