James

Harden

Harden, who helped the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season, would have earned a base salary of $42.3 million had he opted into the final season of his contract. However, the decision to opt out and negotiate a new deal with the Cavaliers is likely to benefit both parties. While Harden would get additional security in the form of more years, Cleveland may be able to give him a lower annual salary. With the team hopeful to retain pending free agent Dean Wade while also lowering its payroll, every little bit helps.

Harden struggled throughout the Eastern Conference Finals, and Monday’s 130-93 defeat was no different. In addition to shooting 25 percent from the field, the veteran guard was a brutal 0-of-6 from beyond the arc. And for the 33rd time in his postseason career, Harden finished a game with more turnovers (five) than made field goals. He has a player option for 2026-27 worth just over $42.3 million, but there’s always the possibility that Harden and the Cavaliers agree to an extension with a lower annual salary. From the trade deadline onward, he provided second-round value in eight-cat formats. Expecting similar production from Harden next season would be realistic, even with the poor showing in the conference finals.

While more productive in Game 3 than he was in either of the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Harden’s overall impact was once again muted. Given the matchup, the Cavaliers can ill afford not to have Harden playing at an elite level. He shot just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc on Saturday and finished with as many turnovers as assists. Harden and the Cavaliers need a win on Monday to avoid getting swept.

After racking up six turnovers and getting torched defensively by Jalen Brunson in Game 1, Harden recorded a better stat line on Thursday. While the field-goal percentage remained low, The Beard did not commit a turnover in 32 minutes. However, he had just two assists, a byproduct of the Cavaliers’ shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 9-of-35 from three. The Cavaliers will hope that Harden can find his groove in Game 3 on Saturday, as they sit in a 0-2 hole.

Harden had a rough Tuesday night at MSG. He struggled with his shot, particularly from beyond the arc, failed to generate points for his teammates, and turned the ball over six times. Additionally, he was the defensive target the Knicks repeatedly aimed for during the fourth quarter and overtime, as New York walked down Cleveland and overcame a 22-point comeback. Harden will almost certainly need to be better going forward for the Cavaliers to win games in this series. He’ll have a chance to bounce back in Game 2 on Thursday.

Usually, James Harden (nine points, five rebounds and six assists) shooting 2-of-10 from the field would spell doom for his team. That wasn’t the case on Sunday, with Merrill’s performance among the reasons why. Shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, Merrill was one of four Cavaliers to finish the 125-94 rout with at least 20 points. Max Strus (9/3/2/3 with one three-pointer) was the fifth starter on Sunday, replacing Dean Wade, but there’s room for Merrill to step up as well. Cleveland visits New York on Tuesday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

While he did lead the Cavaliers in scoring, Game 6 was a rough one for Harden. His four assists were countered by eight turnovers, the fifth time this postseason that the point guard has finished a game with more turnovers than field goals made. Harden’s plus-minus of minus-5 wasn’t terrible, but it is a reminder of why it’s a fool’s errand to cite that category without context. It’s known that he’s going to have high-turnover nights, but Harden has to keep the miscues in check in Sunday’s Game 7.

Harden had six turnovers, but was otherwise excellent in leading the Cavaliers to a 3-2 series lead over the Pistons. The 36-year-old point guard had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Harden was +11 in 43 minutes. The win has put the Cavaliers on the brink of reaching the Eastern Conference finals. They’ll have their first chance to close out the Pistons in Game 6 on Friday.

All five of Harden’s field goals came from beyond the arc on Monday, with nearly double-digit free throws filling the remainder of his scoring total. He also contributed double-digit assists for only the second time this postseason, while tying a playoff-low in assists in the process. The former league MVP is still struggling with his shot, but if he can put in more performances like Monday’s, Cleveland could find itself in great spots the rest of the way.

Much-maligned for his play in the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Harden stepped up when the Cavaliers needed him most in Game 3. The Beard scored seven of his 19 points in the final 1:29 of Saturday’s victory, cutting the Pistons’ series lead in half. However, even with Harden’s late-game heroics, the Cavaliers need a more consistent version of him if they’re to win the series. Game 4 is on Monday night in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers are 5-0 this postseason.