James Harden Contract & Salary

James Harden is on the books for $29,938,272 in 2026–27, the 3rd largest cap hit on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster and 14.2% of the team's $210.1M payroll.

That ranks 64th among the 442 players with a 2026–27 salary on the books, and eats 18.1% of the $165.0M salary cap.

The deal has 3 seasons left on it, running through 2028-29, worth $97,000,001 in guaranteed money.

The money climbs as it goes: $29,938,272 in the first year up to $34,728,395 in the last, a 16% rise across the deal.

Not every year is locked in: 2026-27 flagged, 2027-28 estimated, 2028-29 player option.

The option year belongs to the player, not the team — he decides whether to take the money or return to the market, so the team cannot count on it either way.

At 37, he is on the far side of the aging curve, and the deal still has him on the books through age 39.

He is one of the three highest-paid players on the roster, which puts him in the group the payroll is actually built around.

He is one of 14 players on the Cleveland Cavaliers' books for 2026–27, whose 2026–27 salaries add up to $210,117,046.

Cleveland Cavaliers sit at $210.1M in payroll and are currently classified Tax Payer, with -$1.5M of room below the first apron.