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James Harden reveals if he wants to stay with Cavs after Knicks sweep
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- James Harden reveals if he wants to stay with Cavs after Knicks sweep
James Harden reveals if he wants to stay with Cavs after Knicks sweep appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Cleveland Cavaliers made a bit of a risky maneuver when they traded away Darius Garland , the original member of their core, to the Los Angeles Clippers to bring James Harden in. Harden was supposed to elevate this Cavs team, as his sure-handedness and availability were deemed to be the missing ingredients after Cleveland fell short in the second round in 2024 and 2025.
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However, Harden’s presence wasn’t enough to power the Cavs over the hump. Cleveland may have advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time in the post-LeBron James era, but they barely lasted over a week after the New York Knicks destroyed them in a four-game sweep — with Cleveland getting eliminated in the worst possible fashion, a 37-point defeat at home in Game 4, 130-93.
Now, the uncertainty for this Cavs team is reaching an all-time high. One of the things they’re going to have to address is Harden’s contract situation; Harden has a player option worth $42.3 million for next season, and he might end up declining that to pursue one last huge long-term contract. Whatever the case may be, Harden doesn’t want to go elsewhere .
“Yes, (I want to be here. I expect to be here). 100 percent, definitely both. It’s just not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something,” Harden said in his postgame presser, via the official NBA account on X (formerly Twitter).
The ball is in Harden’s court at the moment , as he can certainly stay on this Cavs team by picking up his player option. But at 36 years of age, this might be Harden’s last shot at earning himself a huge multi-year contract, and he has always been financially proactive.
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It’s not like this Cavs team is so far away from the level that’s required to compete for a title. It sure looks worth it for the Cavs to keep Harden, regardless of whether they run it back or pull off another blockbuster trade to try and elevate the team.
Related: 3 teams that must make Cavs think hard about a Donovan Mitchell blockbuster trade
Related: NBA rumors: ClutchPoints insider dumps cold water on Cavs’ Giannis Antetokounmpo trade pursuit
