James Harden willing to do ‘whatever it takes’ for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2026-27

CLEVELAND — Next season, James Harden will be 37 years old and in his 18th NBA season, presumably back with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While playing 20 seasons is his ultimate goal, the 11-time NBA All-Star knows the end is on the horizon.

“I love to hoop. I will know when it’s over,” Harden told Andscape late Monday night. “I definitely want to get to 20 seasons. I’m starting to think about [life after basketball]. I’ve been thinking about it, but actually trying to figure out what I want to do is the thing. You wake up and you’re like, ‘Do I still want to be in basketball?’ I’m pretty smart and pretty understanding what’s going on and what s‑‑‑ I’ve done even though I haven’t won a championship.

“So, it’s a lot of questions, man. I’m maneuvering through it right now. I’m figuring it out, which is challenging, but it’s a tough process. It’s fun because I am intelligent and smart enough to figure out what excites me and what I have love and passion for other than the game of basketball.”

Another process is Harden and the Cavaliers regrouping after being swept 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals by the New York Knicks.

After being traded to the Cavaliers from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 5 for guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick, Harden averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in 26 games with Cleveland in the regular season. During the Eastern Conference finals, however, he averaged 16.0 points on 38.9% shooting from the field (17.9% 3-point shooting), 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 4.3 turnovers in 37 minutes per game.

With a training camp under his belt next season, Harden believes he and the Cavaliers will be more productive, connected and successful.

“I told the guys I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Harden told Andscape. “So, if I got to play off the ball, less shots, I’m willing to do it. I have no problem with that. You can come talk to me about anything and I’m willing to do it. That was the mindset.”

Harden has a player option for the 2026-27 season paying $42.3 million, or he can opt out and become a free agent. ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks recently projected a two-year, $56 million contract in Cleveland for Harden, assuming he exercises his opt-out clause. Such a contract would help the Cavaliers maximize their current championship window by retaining Harden alongside Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and keep the team under the restrictive second apron.

When asked during his Game 4 postgame news conference whether he expects to be in Cleveland next season and wants to return, Harden said: “Yes, 100 percent. Definitely both, to answer.”

Harden told Andscape his “whirlwind” time in Cleveland has been “great” and reiterated he wanted to remain with the Cavs. While the Los Angeles native is used to dominating the ball most of his NBA career, he adapted to playing more off the ball alongside Mitchell. Harden is also confident the Cavaliers will have a stronger roster next season.

“I feel like we got it if we [add] a couple more pieces, [make] adjustments and get a whole full season,” Harden said. “We went through our adversity in this postseason. We didn’t really know each other. We still don’t really know each other. So, figuring out what works, what doesn’t work. … What can you go through? What can you take? Me too. You’re yelling at me, cursing. All that is a process. So, we just didn’t know each other.

“I think having a full year will definitely help coming off this push. … Coming into my 18th year, I don’t have no pride. I just want to win.”

Mitchell told Andscape before the East finals that the Cavs were still adapting to playing with Harden. While Mitchell and Harden became friends through their connection with Adidas and past offseason workouts, they have enjoyed playing with each other and bonded further since the trade. Harden said he also plans to attend Mitchell’s wedding this offseason to his fiancée, singer and actor Coco Jones.

“Don is a great, great guy, man,” Harden said. “Great kid. He’s getting married. He’s on a great path. He gets it. He puts the work in. I think it makes sense, us two, to where he wants to win bad and I do, too. So, we got some reassessments to do this summer. We have to get better. Our roster has to get better, and we will go again next year.”

Harden is a future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer who was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2022. The 2018 NBA MVP also has played in 191 playoff games without winning a championship, which is two behind Utah Jazz great Karl Malone for the most in NBA history. Harden and Malone are tied for the most playoff wins (98) without a title.

Mitchell expressed his respect for Harden’s play this season with Cleveland, including quietly playing through a thumb and hamstring injury. Harden was criticized for his turnovers, defense and shot selection by media pundits during the postseason.

“This man changed the game of basketball,” Mitchell said. “Changed the game of basketball in ways we have never seen before. We live in such a ring-dominant culture that we were willing to write a guy off, a guy that has transcended basketball. Seventy-five years, no one has done what he does.

“You can say the same about Steph Curry, [Allen] Iverson, [Michael] Jordan. James Harden is in there. So yeah, I can relate to not reaching a certain point. I also feel like we also don’t talk about [Harden’s] greatness enough.”

Harden said he doesn’t have any regrets about the trade to Cleveland.

“I don’t have no regrets in my life,” Harden said. “Everything that I did, I did it. Overall, life is how it should be. You don’t got no complaints, man. I’m pushing.”