The reason why James Harden has given the Cavaliers room to negotiate his contract

After missing out on a LeBron James homecoming, the Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to make more moves to help improve the team. They had a promising 2026 postseason, as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. While they were swept by the New York Knicks, it showed some progress from the previous season.

One of the priorities in the offseason for Cleveland has been re-signing James Harden. It seems Harden is working with the team to have the best roster possible, so his contract has not been confirmed just yet.

James Harden is letting the Cavaliers improve the roster before re-signing

The Cavaliers want to build on what they achieved in the 2026 postseason. It might have ended badly, but the likes of Donovan Mitchell and head coach Kenny Atkinson believe that it is a step-by-step process they have to go through.

That was the obstacle they had to endure, and it is time to break the barrier and reach the NBA Finals. That is what the Knicks did in previous years, and the Cavaliers want to replicate the model set by their Eastern Conference rivals.

MORE: James Harden admitted that he wanted to play with LeBron James in Cleveland

Harden is giving the Cavaliers a grace period because he knows he wants to stay in Cleveland. However, he wants the Cavs to have enough players who can help in their title charge. That is why Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson have been floating around because they could solve their small forward woes.

"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," ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne revealed on NBA Today.

Getting Kuminga or Watson will be a triumph for the Cavaliers. Watson is a bit trickier because of the sign-and-trade, but any player who can contribute and help this Cavs team could be the key to unlocking their potential as a title contender in an Eastern Conference that got way better.

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