Although former NBA center DeMarcus Cousins envisions a championship for Cleveland Cavs Donovan Mitchell as a starter, he can't say the same about James Harden. The retired four-time All-Star center didn't hold back. The Cavs added wing depth over the summer by trading for Peyton Watson and drafting Meleek Thomas, a second-round standout who's carved out a secondary role in his rookie season.
However, for Cousins, the Cavs' destiny rests on the shoulders of Mitchell and Harden, and DeMarcus remains unsure of that amid this season's championship aspirations, he said, per FanDuel TV's Run It Back.
“I believe Donovan Mitchell still has time to go get one. James? Time's not necessarily on his side right now. And I don’t see him winning a championship as a starter, ever, in any situation,” Cousins said. “Maybe in a sixth-man role. I don't see him as a starter winning a championship.”
“I don’t see him winning a championship as a starter, ever, in any situation. Maybe in a sixth-man role.”
DeMarcus Cousins on James Harden 😳
(via @RunItBackFDTV) pic.twitter.com/xyWXLzdXPx
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 9, 2026
DeMarcus Cousins sees James Harden in a bench role as his only means towards winning a championship. In his first full season with the Cavs, Harden is averaging 15.7 points on 36.6% shooting, including 36.2% from deep, 5.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Article Continues BelowIn contrast to his production after his mid-season trade from the LA Clippers, Harden's overall production has dipped this season for the Cavs. Harden averaged 20.5 points on 46.6/43.5/84.0 shooting splits, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. He signed a three-year, $96.5 million extension ahead of the 2026-27 season.
After handing the Philadelphia 76ers a 119-95 loss on Friday, the Cavs surrendered a 109-97 loss to the New York Knicks on the second night of a back-to-back. Ten games into the regular season, the Cavs are 5-5.