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NBA rumors: James Harden’s Cavs contract maneuver opens eyes amid LeBron James buzz
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- NBA rumors: James Harden’s Cavs contract maneuver opens eyes amid LeBron James buzz
NBA rumors: James Harden's Cavs contract maneuver opens eyes amid LeBron James buzz appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Hours before free agency opens, LeBron James announced he will not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers and will be signing with a new team for next season. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been an organization linked to the 41-year-old forward in the rumor mill. However, the salary cap situation doesn't give them a chance. Or do they? Thanks to James Harden 's contract decision, the club may be in the mix to sign LeBron.
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Reports indicate that Harden 's decision to decline his $42.3 million player's option to become a free agent was to give the Cavs the cap space they need to make LeBron James an offer, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. It's said that Harden, who is 36 years old, plans to re-sign with Cleveland, but is waiting to do so to give the club a chance to also sign James.
"One of the main reasons commonly listed — including by me — for James not coming back to Cleveland is the small salary available for LeBron there due to the league's salary rules," wrote Vardon. "Basically, the Cavs' roster is too expensive for them to pay him anything other than the minimum, which is roughly $4 million, and the rules are too punitive for them to shed salary to pay him more while remaining competitive.
"Not so fast. James Harden could really help them make this happen," Vardon said. "On Monday, Harden declined his $42.3 million player's option and is now a free agent. He is expected to return to Cleveland on a new contract, but Harden is waiting to sign to give the Cavs the flexibility they need to make a move like adding LeBron for next season, according to a league source granted anonymity to describe deliberations still in progress."
The last time the four-time MVP played with the Cavs was in the 2017-18 campaign before he left in free agency to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for the past eight seasons.
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While Harden may be doing his part to help the Cavaliers at least talk to James, the 23-year veteran will have plenty of other suitors pursuing him. Rumors already link LeBron James to the Golden State Warriors , as it is said that Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are doing their part to lure him to Golden State. Regardless, it appears Cleveland could be a possible destination for James' 24th season in the NBA.
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