The Cleveland Cavaliers endured a historic collapse in their first conference finals game in eight years and proceeded to get thwacked by the New York Knicks. They poured some gasoline on their series sweep via some concerning soundbites, leading many to speculate on the franchise’s immediate future. Well, the Cavs are seemingly answering fans’ questions following the latest James Harden development.
It looks like they intend to keep their core intact. The future Hall of Fame guard declined his $42.3 million player option and is working on a new multi-year contract with Cleveland. The deal is expected to pay him an annual salary in the range $28-$30 million, per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
If such a scenario comes to pass, Harden will earn more money than he would have and Cleveland will get under the second apron. A win-win? Fans may think otherwise, but it is obvious the organization still believes in its current blueprint.
When the Cavs traded Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in February, the expectation was that they were going to re-sign The Beard in the summer. A rocky showing versus the Knicks added a hint of uncertainty to the equation, but Cleveland is ultimately keeping true to its commitment.
James Harden will turn 37 years old in August and is coming off another poor postseason performance, so it is fair to question the Cavaliers’ allegiance. However, the 2017-18 MVP made an undeniable difference after joining the squad and helped the Donovan Mitchell-led group finally push past the second round of the playoffs.
Moreover, ownership just watched a previously embattled Knickerbockers team win the championship after spending the last few years building chemistry. Perhaps continuity can also bring some magic to Rocket Arena.
New York did not have to worry about Father Time, however. Although there was obvious risk to sticking with the injury-prone Darius Garland, the Cavs are putting themselves in a tricky spot by moving forward with an aging guard who struggles defensively.
They may want to protect this gamble by modifying the roster in free agency, which could now be possible after this opt-out.