James Harden’s retirement plan laid bare as Cavaliers make statement decision amid Game 7 win

James Harden is heading back to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.

The Cleveland Cavaliers veteran is now edging closer to his first-ever NBA Championship, in what’s been an up-and-down year.

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It’s tough to believe that Harden, a former MVP and 11-time All-Star, has never got his hands on the Larry O’Brien trophy.

With the Cavs heading to the East Finals, where they will face the New York Knicks, he will have hopes of breaking that duck.

Harden is now 36-years-old, and an inconsistent playoff run has reminded plenty that he’s perhaps past his best.

The Beard did move to 10th on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list in the Game 6 loss to the Detroit Pistons last Friday, where he put up an impressive 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

But in the decider on Sunday night, Harden was far less effective.

Cleveland prevailed in a big 125-94 win, despite just 9 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists from their veteran, who went 2-of-10 from the field, and 0-of-6 from three-point range.

If Harden wants to make it to the promised land and win an NBA title, he will be leaning on the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Evan
Mobley to drag him there.

But this, apparently, won’t be his last shot at glory.

Cavs signed James Harden with ‘multiyear’ deal in mind

In a piece published ahead of the Game 7 decider against Detroit, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that Harden will be back with the team next year, and likely beyond.

“Cleveland traded franchise point guard Darius Garland for Harden with multiple seasons in mind,” Windhorst wrote.

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“The Cavs were hoping for a lead guard who would be healthier at the end of the season than Garland, and they won that bet.

“Harden wanted contract certainty after this season, and the Clippers made it clear at midseason that they hadn’t decided whether to pick up his $42 million team option — $13 million guaranteed — for next season.

“When both sides showed their cards, Harden’s representation got permission to find a team willing to commit to him. The Cavs were willing.

“Though a formal agreement is not allowed to be completed before the offseason, there is an understanding that the Cavs plan to work out a new deal to retain Harden.”

Windhorst added that the three-time NBA scoring champion, who turns 37 this summer and is completely unrecognizable without his signature beard, could be in line for a ‘multiyear deal’.

“No matter how this playoff run unfolds, Harden, who has been inconsistent in the postseason again, will likely be coming back to Cleveland this summer on a multiyear deal,” the ESPN reporter continued.

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“Before the trade with LA was even finalized, the Cavs had taken steps to establish a strong bond with Harden, including coach Kenny Atkinson, who has worked to make him a partner from their first conversation.

“When the Cavs posted Atkinson’s victory speech after the team’s Game 5 win in Detroit last week, Harden was seen addressing the team from his locker.

“That’s a dynamic Atkinson has intentionally cultivated, knowing that when Harden has had good relationships with his coaches, it has led to some of his best play. It was that way with Mike D’Antoni when both were with the Houston Rockets.”

The expectation, then, is that Harden could be around for a few more years to come and potentially end up retiring a Cavalier.

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While securing a multiyear deal with the Cavs would likely have been high on his list of priorities following February’s trade, there’s no doubt that winning a chip is the ultimate goal, and 2026 could finally be his year.

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