Veteran guard James Harden could face a pivotal contract choice this offseason, and ESPN cap analyst Bobby Marks believes both Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers would benefit from restructuring his agreement.
Marks, in his annual NBA free-agency rankings, proposed that Harden decline his $42.3 million player option for 2024-25 and sign a new two-year contract worth $56 million. The suggested structure would pay Harden approximately $28 million in each of the next two seasons, giving Cleveland flexibility to remain below the league’s second apron while still filling out the roster around Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
On the court, the pairing of Harden and Mitchell has generally worked. According to Marks, the Cavaliers went 16-6 in regular-season games when the two guards shared the floor, producing a 122.1 offensive rating—a figure that would have led the NBA over a full season.
The playoffs, however, have highlighted some concerns. Harden is averaging a career-high 4.9 turnovers per game this postseason while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three-point range. Marks added that Harden has now logged 32 career playoff games in which he finished with more turnovers than made field goals.
Cleveland is expected to keep pushing for a championship during Mitchell’s prime, and maintaining Harden appears to be part of that plan. Whether both sides are ready to meet in the middle financially remains the key offseason question.
Source: Hoops Wire
