James Harden Opts Out to Pursue New Deal With Cavaliers

WHO:

NY Post - The Cavaliers acquired James Harden from the Clippers during the season for Darius Garland and a second-round pick.

NY Post - James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers, Clippers, Darius Garland

RealGM Basketball - James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers

WHAT:

RealGM Basketball - Sandro Mamukelashvili has declined his $2.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season with the Toronto Raptors.

RealGM Basketball - James Harden is declining his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

RealGM Basketball - The Cavaliers and Harden are working on a new multi-year deal.

RealGM Basketball - Harden averaged 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

RealGM Basketball - Cleveland made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

WHERE:

RealGM Basketball - Cleveland Cavaliers

WHEN:

RealGM Basketball - The Cavaliers acquired Harden at last season's trade deadline.

WHY:

RealGM Basketball - The expectation has been that Harden would opt out to sign a new long-term deal with Cleveland.

RealGM Basketball - The Cavaliers are likely to benefit by bringing Harden's contract number down for next season, which will help the team as they work around the first and second apron.

HOW:

RealGM Basketball - Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.9 minutes across 80 games last season with the Raptors. He shot 38.9 percent on three-pointers and had a PER of 17.9.

RealGM Basketball - Harden's contract would have become partially guaranteed for just over $13 million had he opted in for next season.

The Cavaliers have made a significant move by acquiring James Harden from the Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. In other news, Sandro Mamukelashvili has opted out of his $2.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season with the Toronto Raptors, after averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in nearly 22 minutes per game last season. Mamukelashvili also showcased his shooting skills, hitting 38.9 percent of his three-point attempts and posting a player efficiency rating of 17.9.