JAMES Harden’s latest contract has pushed him into one of the most exclusive financial clubs in NBA history.
The veteran guard reportedly agreed to a three-year, $97 million deal to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a contract that will take his career earnings beyond the $500 million mark.
With the deal, Harden joins an elite group of NBA superstars who have surpassed half a billion dollars in career salary earnings, alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
Harden’s new contract will pay him an average of more than $32 million per season and includes a player option after the 2027-28 campaign, giving the former MVP flexibility as he enters the latter stage of his career.
The 37-year-old has come a long way since entering the league with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. His biggest paydays came during his years with the Houston Rockets, where he developed into one of the league’s most dominant offensive players and captured the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2018.
Despite no longer being at his MVP peak, Harden remains one of the game’s most accomplished guards. He averaged 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists last season while splitting time between the Los Angeles Clippers and Cavaliers.
However, questions remain about how long Harden can maintain that level of production. His numbers dipped during the 2026 playoffs, when he averaged 19.2 points and 5.5 assists while shooting 41 percent from the field.
Still, the new contract ensures that Harden will continue climbing the NBA’s all-time earnings list.
LeBron James remains among the highest career earners in league history, with his NBA salary earnings expected to approach $590 million. Kevin Durant has also crossed the $500 million threshold and is projected to earn more than $590 million in career salary.
Stephen Curry, meanwhile, is set to move deeper into the exclusive club with his massive salary in the coming seasons.
Now, Harden joins them.
The former MVP may not have an NBA championship like the other members of the club, but when it comes to career earnings, Harden has officially put himself alongside some of the biggest names basketball has ever seen.
Four NBA superstars. More than $500 million each in career earnings. And James Harden is now one of them. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
The post NBA superstar James Harden joins exclusive $500M club first appeared on Fastbreak.
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