Cavs’ James Harden Rated No. 5 on Off-Season Free-Agent List
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Bleacher Report analyst Eric Pincus has ranked Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden as the fifth-best free agent expected to hit the market this summer.
Pincus placed Harden ahead of Washington Wizards guard Trae Young while listing him behind Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, Lakers guard Austin Reaves and Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein.
The 34-year-old veteran owns a $42.3 million player option for the 2024-25 season. League observers cited by Pincus believe Harden will decline that option and negotiate a new contract with Cleveland, potentially a two-year deal starting at about $32.5 million annually.
Harden joined the Cavaliers in a February trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and helped propel the team to its first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2018. Cleveland was ultimately swept by the New York Knicks, but Harden expressed a desire to remain with the franchise. “Definitely want to be here,” he said. “I think we found something.”
The former MVP averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per game during the regular season for Cleveland and posted 19.2 points per game in the playoffs.
Source: Hoops Wire
