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Bryon Scott believes James Harden prevented LeBron James from returning to the Cavaliers "If they didn't have James Harden, I think he would have did it a third time.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and 11-time All-Star James Harden are harmoniously working together on a new deal that will appropriately pay the guard while helping the franchise with financial flexibility to improve the roster. Harden’s representatives, Mike Silverman, Troy Payne, and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports, have discussed multi-year structures, including two- or three-year scenarios, with the Cavaliers, league sources told HoopsHype.
Jonathan Abrams: What if OKC had kept Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden? Excited to announce my next book, WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND FEARLESS, coming 11/3—a deep dive into the trio that reshaped the NBA. Pre-order link: harpercollins.com/products/when-
Oh No He Didn't: Ramona Shelburne on James Harden and the Cavs: "I think that could happen relatively soon. The question is gonna be is it a two year deal, a three year deal, what the structure looks like is gonna determine what the money looks like. But the Cavs are still poking around with Peyton Watson and I think that's why James has given them a lot of room to negotiate"
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A contract between Harden and Cleveland, meanwhile, is still expected to max out at no more than two guaranteed years, league sources say. Projecting the specific salary number remains fluid given the Cavaliers' ongoing interest in Jonathan Kuminga and their determination to stay out of the second apron for a second successive season.
Shams Charania: "Then the other issue that they are dealing with as well is James Harden. He still has not signed his contract. There is full expectation that James Harden will be back with the Cavs. I am fully expecting these two sides to reach an agreement on a new deal here soon."
League sources, who spoke on the condition anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, said what the Lakers are prepared to offer Atlanta in a trade is underwhelming, whereas Cleveland has potentially more appealing trade pieces. The Cavs have been linked to possible trades of veteran forward Max Strus ($16 million) and point guard Dennis Schröder ($14 million). To execute a sign-and-trade transaction, Cleveland must remain under the NBA’s first salary apron of roughly $209 million, which is why James Harden remains unsigned.
As sources described to the California Post, multiple teams — and players — throughout the league are in a holding pattern until James makes his decision. It’s why James Harden remains an unrestricted free agent after declining his $42.3 million player option with the Cavaliers over three weeks ago with the expectation he’d re-sign with Cleveland on a new deal. It’s why Draymond Green remains an unrestricted free agent after declining his $27.7 million player option with the Warriors, with the expectation he’d re-sign with Golden State on a new deal.
Jake Fischer: ‘A lot of people in the league keep mentioning that they believe there is a clunky fit between LeBron James and James Harden. I don’t necessarily see that, because Harden once upon a time was someone that LeBron communicated to the Lakers, when he was a free agent… it was when he was a free agent with the Clippers or Sixers, but there was a point in time when LeBron communicated to the Lakers that he was willing to take a pay cut if they sign Harden, Klay Thompson or Jonas Valanciunas.’
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Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged last week the league office can’t finish the schedule until LeBron James chooses a destination. That’s real power. James Harden remains unsigned while the Cleveland Cavaliers wait on yet another LeBron decision. The futures of other veterans like Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga remain murky because of him. Summer League is over. This is usually around the time the league goes into hibernation, when coaches and executives take their well-deserved vacations and get away from business for most of August. LeBron is now encroaching on that time as well.
Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill, known for its Rocky Mountain Outdoor enthusiast inspired hospitality, is set to open a new location in Scottsdale next month. NBA and former Arizona State University player James Harden is among the group bringing the eatery to the East Valley, which also includes former professional basketball player Troy Payne and Nico Fricchione, who also played basketball at ASU.
