James Harden’s misdemeanor gun arrest in Houston is not expected to change the Cleveland Cavaliers’ plans to negotiate a new deal with the All-Star guard, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Police stopped Harden’s vehicle early Saturday and reported finding a handgun in plain view, leading to a charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon. The 34-year-old, who has hired prominent Texas attorney Rusty Hardin, faces a misdemeanor count and has a court date set for August.
Contract outlook
Despite the legal matter, league insiders still anticipate Harden will decline his $42.3 million player option for 2024-25—of which only $13.3 million is guaranteed—and sign a new two-year contract with Cleveland. Estimates around the NBA place the potential value of that agreement near $60 million, with some executives suggesting the figure could rise.
Teams were cleared to begin negotiations with their own free agents on Sunday, one day after the NBA Finals ended. Harden, acquired by the Cavaliers at February’s trade deadline, helped the club reach the Eastern Conference Finals and said after the season-ending loss to New York that he “definitely” wants to stay in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have not commented publicly on the arrest, and no changes to the negotiation timeline have been reported.
Source: Hoops Wire
