After failing to land key additions in free agency, the Cleveland Cavaliers have turned their attention to James Harden. The Cavaliers have yet to sign Harden to a contract extension, and fans are getting concerned.
The veteran guard declined his $42.3 million player option in June to give the front office more room in its pursuit of LeBron James. It was a selfless act that did not go unnoticed, even though the Cavaliers failed to land the four-time MVP, who chose the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Cavaliers have also tried to acquire Peyton Watson, Jonathan Kuminga, and DeMar DeRozan. Nothing, however, has come to fruition. Thus, for the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Chris Fedor, Harden might demand a higher offer.
“If the Cavs don’t get Kuminga, if the Cavs don’t get DeMar DeRozan, if the Cavs don’t get Peyton Watson, then James is probably going to say, ‘Hey, I was willing to create some financial flexibility. I was willing to be patient. I was willing to wait on LeBron, Kuminga, DeRozan, and Peyton Watson, and I was giving you guys the freedom to explore avenues to improve this roster. None of those materialized. I want to be compensated for that,'” said Fedor on the “Wine and Gold Talk.”
The 36-year-old Harden is entering his 18th season, and it has become clear that he is past his prime. Still, he showed that he was a good fit in Cleveland, although he faltered in the playoffs yet again.
Fedor stressed that the Cavaliers have no intention of letting go of the former MVP, adding that a new deal should be imminent.
“I don’t sense any kind of situation between the Cavs and James where talks are going to break down, or talks are going to get so bad that there’s going to be bad blood between James and the organization or James’ camp and the organization. Everybody understands the financial aspect of things related to James,” said Fedor.
James averaged 20.5 points, 43.5% three-point shooting, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 26 games with Cleveland last season.