Former NBA head coach Mike D’Antoni pushed back against the notion that Cleveland Cavaliers star James Harden is “done” as the veteran guard prepares for his first full season with the organization.
D’Antoni, who coached Harden during some of his most productive seasons with the Houston Rockets, remains confident that the 37-year-old can perform at a high level. Speaking to Kyle Odegard of Action Network, D’Antoni explained why a decline from Harden's MVP-level peak should not be confused with an inability to remain among the NBA's top players.
“Superstars, when they just slip a little bit, people think, ‘Oh, well, he's done.’ No, he isn't. James is still one of the best players in the league.”
D’Antoni coached Harden in Houston from 2016 to 2020, a stretch that included Harden winning the 2017-18 NBA MVP award. The Rockets also reached the Western Conference Finals that season before losing to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
Harden now enters his first full season with Cleveland after joining the Cavaliers in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers last season. D’Antoni believes Harden's basketball intelligence will allow him to continue adjusting his game as he gets older and shares the backcourt with Donovan Mitchell.
“He will always figure it out, because the guy is one of the most intelligent players I’ve coached. Even though he’s maybe not as proficient as in his best days, he’s still really, really good. I think people lose sight of that.”
Mike D’Antoni confident in James Harden's Cavaliers fit
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Harden remained productive last season, averaging 23.6 points, 8.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 43.4% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range across his time with the Clippers and Cavaliers.
His arrival helped Cleveland advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where its season ended with a four-game sweep against the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
The Cavaliers reinforced their commitment to Harden this offseason by signing him to a three-year, $97 million contract. He now enters the 2026-27 campaign as a key piece of Cleveland's championship pursuit alongside Mitchell.
With the Cavaliers holding training camp in Spain, Harden will have an opportunity to further establish his role before his first complete season in Cleveland. D’Antoni believes the former MVP still has plenty to offer despite being well removed from his peak years in Houston.