Cavaliers' James Harden: Declines option, plans to re-sign
Rotowire
Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for 2026-27 on Monday and is working on a new multi-year deal with the Cavaliers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
After averaging 20.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals through Cleveland's first 13 postseason games, Harden struggled mightily as the Cavaliers got swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. While a disappointing end, it was still a successful postseason run for the new-look Cavaliers. Having Harden decline his option for a longer deal should lead to more guaranteed money for him while giving the team some much-needed financial flexibility.
Cavaliers' James Harden: Comes up short in Game 4 loss
Rotowire
Harden closed with 12 points (2-8 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 8-9 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Monday's 130-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Harden's reputation as someone who struggles when everything is on the line continued to build Monday, as he scored just 12 points on 25.0 percent shooting. Monday's loss closed what was a solid postseason run for the veteran, who averaged 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.9 three-pointers in 15 playoff appearances over the past month.
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Cavaliers' James Harden: Struggles with turnovers in loss
Rotowire
Harden accumulated 19 points (8-15 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, five assists and one steal in 41 minutes during Saturday's 121-108 loss to New York in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
This was the second time in this series that Harden committed six turnovers, and he again struggled from three-point range, missing all but one of his seven three-point attempts. Through the first three games of this series, Harden has committed a total of 12 turnovers while shooting 5-for-22 from beyond the arc.
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