Little did the Philadelphia 76ers know that they will still be getting some parallels from what had befallen them in the past, but they got exactly that thanks to James Harden. The former Most Valuable Player, who is now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, did not disappoint in their Conference Finals affair with the Knicks, pulling off the ultimate Harden with a no-show in an elimination game.
Harden registered just 12 points and racked up five turnovers in 31 minutes as New York booted him and his ball club out of the running for the championship with utmost ease. The Knicks walloped them to the tune of a 37-point beatdown, and with the 11-time All-Star orchestrating yet another all-time blunder, the Cavs are on deck to face an unenviable situation with his contract.
Sounds familiar? Well, the 76ers found themselves in the same exact boat a few years ago. Of course, half of the blame for the messy sage goes to Daryl Morey, but Harden did not exactly help himself when the front office was contemplating a contract extension for him. After all, he was a complete dud as well in their final playoff game the season prior.
The Cavaliers suddenly find themselves in the same boat as the 76ers once did with James Harden
Harden has a player option amounting to $42.3 million for next season which he will most likely decline in order to strike a longer contract. However, that once looked like an easy call for the Cavaliers (in extending him) now appears to be a precarious proposition that should get them thinking twice.
Cleveland is already deep into the luxury tax with the highest payroll in the NBA, and their franchise player in Donovan Mitchell is likewise eligible and due for a max extension this summer. Harden has signaled that he wants to keep playing for the Cavs, but the feeling might not be as mutual as he thinks it is.
Harden will already be 37 years old at the start of the 2026-27 season, which should weigh on the Cavs brain trust's minds sooner than later. His efficiency is slowly waning, and an argument could be made that improving their depth would benefit them more instead of paying him big bucks when he is already showing signs of permanent decline.
Unlike when the 76ers were the ones dealing with his mess, James Harden is no longer the world-beater he once was. Now, the ball is on the Cavaliers' court, and their decision will surely not make everyone happy.
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