If I was the Cavs, I’ll backstab Harden and not offer him a deal after he formally opts out

Especially given the Cavs are in one of the toughest salary cap spots in the league

On paper they’re one of only 2 teams already over the 2nd apron (the other is the Thunder who have a plethora of options to mitigate it with all the stashed players/draft picks). Even if Harden takes like 5M less AAV for a longer contract it will be really close

Not to mention they already were over it last year, so if they break it this year then breaking it anytime in the 3 years following triggers repeater penalties

The Cavs can’t afford luxuries unless it’ll YOLO win them a title. I don’t think anyone believes Harden is that piece

They literally had their most successful playoff run since LeBron was in Cleveland. Why is everyone talking about the Cavs like they got bounced in the 1st Round?

Harden is still chasing the $100m he lost forcing his way out of Brooklyn.

Nets were going to give him the 5y/$270m Max then he went to Philly and called Morey a liar when he was offered a lower value contract.

Since then Harden has made roughly \(170m between Sixers and Clippers but is still short that other \)100m.

A guy that’s been All NBA eligible every year but one and has been an iron man his whole career. Good thing you don’t work in a FO nor have a medical degree.

Depends on what the contract it.

But yeah for anything he would sign, prob not worth it. - especially if declining a 40 mil option. For that to make financial sense to him (because he prob could get at least 30 mil a year for 3 years). Any extension would likely be around 3 years, 35 mil or 4 for 30.

Dawg we already hanging onto the second apron for dear life, we do this and we’re fuckeddd

This. Way better move

Yes but maybe but prolly only if Bron takes a slight pay cut so they can add additional talent.

That’s not how the cap works. It’s basically pay Harden or get nothing in return.

Do people not understand what a player option is

More likely that Harden gets a paycut, and then Lebron joins him in Cleveland.

Is there a way they give harden a lower AAV over multiple years and have space for LeBron as well ?

We’re so far above the cap that letting Harden walk doesn’t change much. If he stays we can give LeBron the minimum. If he walks I think we’d be able to offer the mid-level exception.

I mean he kind of has done that since leaving the Nets. Hasn’t asked for a max and has consistently taken 1-2 year deals on reasonable AAV. Don’t know what you can point to that says the opposite.

He’s literally done this before lol

I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic but he has done this before.

That’s actually been the insider reports that he’s content with reduce his cap hit for next season to get us under the 2nd apron in exchange for a 2-3 year deal. How much he’s willing to shave off is up for discussion, but will almost definitely be making less than be would have on his player option, at least in terms of next season anyway.

He absolutely is. Literally the whole point of this is to sign him to a lower AAV that gets them under the second apron. He gets more money overall, which is good for him, but spread out over more years, which is good for the team.

This implies a player isn’t deserving, but he has been, so I’m not sure what you mean

James harden is the Michael Jordan of player options

The $50 mil option means he was already getting that no matter what.

If a smaller cap hit + a healthy Halliburton allows for just one more rotation player next season, how is that worse than now?

He is going to take less money on his new deal.

Yeah, the deal was made knowing the extension was coming. I’ve read the salary “will start with a 3” so he’s sacrificing some money next year for term/guarantees. Probably not as much as anyone but him would like though. He was generally good for us in the playoffs, and I think it’ll be a strong team again next year with him. But who knows?

People here don’t seem to understand that a player option already existed in his deal.

Or maybe they plan on getting free agents analytically after pulling a Morey.

Lower his AAV + he was their best player in the playoffs despite everyone  choosing to scapegoat him at the end???

To play basketball for them, presumably 

Traffic cones are getting expensive

checks notes

He’s still really good at basketball.

He’s firmly a top 25ish player in the league today and probably going to get paid like he’s a top 50ish player.

It’s like the clowns who shit on Harden for losing to the Warriors in the playoffs while their own teams decided to give up on the game of basketball for half a decade.

Only a handful of teams actually nutted up and tried to compete against the Warriors during their prime. The rest bent over and asked Golden State how much lube they wanted. I have no respect for most of the league for laying down and rolling over.

We got 2016

Most teams in the NBA won’t win in a championship in the next decade. Push out a competitive product to sell tickets and merchandise is the rules of the game in 2026.

Flair up coward

Facts. 3 years/$100m is definitely fair for him

36 years old after playing two, 7 game series. He was gassed, along with the rest of the team. I am willing to see how he does in next years playoffs. He didn’t get much playing time with the other starters due to when he joined the Cavs and due to injuries.

If he deserves that, I deserve it too

My thoughts exactly 

You really think the Cavs make the ECF without Harden? This is the most success the team has seen since LeBron was in town.

You keep watching, right?

Because they make the owners even MORE money?

Are you 12?

It’s really not that hard to understand, players generate value and money, they get a share of that lol.

Would be a bad move, essentially letting Garland leave for free and probably lose Mitchell in a season or 2 unless LeBron comes back home

Would be a legendary crash out, some team would still pay him tho

Sets a terrible precedent. No one would trust the organization ever again…