Cavaliers Plan to Retain James Harden Amid Offseason Speculation

The Cleveland Cavaliers intend to retain James Harden as the 2026 trade and free agency cycle begins, viewing the veteran guard as a focal point of their roster strategy. Despite league-wide rumors regarding his future, Harden remains locked in for the Cavaliers' decisive Game 7 second-round series against the Detroit Pistons. Notably, Harden was the last American-born player to win the NBA MVP award, achieving the feat in 2018.