James Harden still waiting for Cavs contract to become official

James Harden agreed to return to the Cavaliers nearly three weeks ago. He still hasn’t officially signed.

At this point, there isn’t much mystery about why. Cleveland is hard-capped at the first tax apron after acquiring Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade, which has left the front office trying to squeeze every last dollar into place.

The Cavs already waived Cam Whitmore and are expected to stretch his $5.46 million salary across three seasons. They also signed 2022 second-round pick Khalifa Diop to a rookie minimum deal.

Still, according to Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors, Cleveland would be unable to carry a 15th player for the entire season if Harden receives the full three-year, $97 million deal that was originally reported.

That leaves two obvious possibilities. The simplest is that Harden takes slightly less. As we noted at Hoops Wire before Whitmore was waived, the numbers appeared to allow the Cavs to pay Harden just under the reported figure, roughly $96.7 million over three years.

The other option would be another roster move that creates a little more breathing room.

Either way, this isn’t about Harden changing his mind. This is accounting. Very expensive accounting, but accounting nonetheless.

Eventually, the deal will become official. The Cavs just have to make the math stop fighting them first.