The Cleveland Cavaliers are set for a wildly important offseason after they were swept out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks. One of the biggest questions revolves around the future of James Harden, who was picked up in a midseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
While Harden is a much cleaner fit alongside Donovan Mitchell than Darius Garland was, his postseason struggles haunted Cleveland, particularly against New York. For now, the Cavs seem intent on keeping Harden in town, but his latest actions could force the team to reconsider its stance on his future in Cleveland.
James Harden Spotted at Strip Club Shortly After Cavs Season Ends
There’s no doubt that Harden is a future Hall of Famer, as he is one of the greatest players of his generation. Even as he approaches the end of his career, Harden has continued playing at an All-Star level, even as he has bounced from team to team in hopes of winning the first championship of his career. Once the playoffs roll around, though, Harden has developed a reputation for fading away when the lights are at their brightest.
Cleveland’s latest postseason run likely isn’t going to help Harden escape that label either. After turning in a solid regular-season campaign (23.6 PPG, 8 APG, 4.8 RPG, 43.4 FG%), Harden was a shell of himself in the Cavs’ 18 playoff contests (19.2 PPG, 5.5 APG, 5.1 RPG, 41 FG%). He wasn’t the only reason Cleveland got swept by New York, but his struggles certainly didn’t make things easier for his teammates.
Reports have indicated that the Cavaliers want to keep Harden around, but his actions may force the team to reconsider its game plan. Less than a week after the Cavs were eliminated from the playoffs, Harden was spotted at a strip club partying alongside popular hip-hop musician Sexyy Red. In what is a wildly important offseason for both Cleveland and Harden, it’s safe to say this decision didn’t exactly go over well with fans.
What Should the Cavs Do with James Harden?
GettyCavs are confident they will re-sign James Harden on multi-year deal
Harden is widely expected to decline his $42.3 million player option and hit the open market, but for all intents and purposes, it seems like the Cavaliers want to re-sign him. Considering how they gave up on Garland so that they could land Harden, it isn’t much of a surprise to see that the team wants to hang onto the future Hall of Famer. However, is it the best move for the Cavs when it comes to their quest to win a championship?
By now, Harden’s nightlife antics aren’t a surprise to anyone, but it continues to raise questions about his commitment to basketball. Harden doesn’t appear intent on changing his lifestyle any time soon, and as he prepares to enter his age-37 season, this is something that the Cavaliers at least need to take note of before re-signing him. Ultimately, it’d be a surprise to see him land elsewhere, but that doesn’t necessarily mean bringing Harden back is in the Cavs’ best interests.
James Harden’s Actions After Cavs’ Playoff Defeat Turn Heads