James Harden wants to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is ready to do whatever it takes for the team’s success.
Speaking with Marc Spears, the 11-time All-Star admitted he is entering the final stage of his career, but has no intention of stepping away from basketball anytime soon.
“I love to hoop. I will know when it’s over,” Harden told Andscape late Monday night. “I definitely want to get to 20 seasons. I’m starting to think about [life after basketball].
Winning an NBA championship remains his obsession, and he believes the Cavaliers have the right environment to finally achieve that goal.
“I told the guys I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Harden told Andscape. “So, if I got to play off the ball, less shots, I’m willing to do it. I have no problem with that. You can come talk to me about anything and I’m willing to do it. That was the mindset.”
We went through our adversity in this postseason. We didn’t really know each other. We still don’t really know each other. So, figuring out what works, what doesn’t work. … What can you go through? What can you take? Me too. You’re yelling at me, cursing. All that is a process. So, we just didn’t know each other.
“I think having a full year will definitely help coming off this push. … Coming into my 18th year, I don’t have no pride. I just want to win.”
Harden finished the regular season averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game with his new team. In the playoffs, however, his production dropped to 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per contest, while his shooting percentages — both from the field and from three-point range — declined alongside an increase in turnovers.
The 36-year-old guard holds a player option worth more than $42 million for the 2026/27 season, but he could choose to decline it in order to sign a more team-friendly deal.
A move that would help the Cavaliers, who already project to approach $300 million in combined salaries and luxury tax for 2026/27 with 12 players under contract.
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