NBA's $500 million club: How James Harden's latest deal puts Cavs star in exclusive company
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James Harden has mastered the art of earning money.
The Cavaliers guard is renowned for his on-the-floor gifts. Those have brought serious off-court gains for the soon-to-be 38-year-old, who agreed to terms on a three-year deal to remain in Cleveland on Thursday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Harden's latest contract propels him to a different plane for NBA players; he'll now take his place as one of the league's few $500 million men. The list is as exclusive as it is gaudy, featuring just four players in total.
With that, here's what you need to know about Harden's latest contract figures, as well as where he stands on the NBA's all-time earnings list.
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James Harden contract details
- Years: Three
- Contract value: $97 million
Harden will pocket about $32.3 million in average annual value over the course of his deal. In terms of nominal value, that's his smallest payday since he inked a max extension with the Rockets ahead of the 2016 season.
Harden's contract comes equipped with a player option after the 2027-28 season, giving him additional flexibility should he desire it.
Now 37, Harden's production has dwindled considerably compared to his MVP-caliber peak. Still, he enjoyed plenty of success during the regular season, averaging 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 70 appearances for the Clippers and Cavaliers.
There are undoubtedly concerns about Harden's limitations, particularly in postseason play. Harden saw his averages drop across the board during the 2026 postseason, averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 turnovers on 41 percent shooting in 18 games.
He's likely to remain a productive player during the first year of his contract. Given his age and player profile, it's possible, perhaps even likely, that Harden could struggle to maintain that level of play in the latter portions of his deal.
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NBA's $500 million club
Harden's latest deal pushes him in the upper-echelon of earners. He's now a member of the vaunted $500 million club, bumping shoulders with a trio of players who have helped define this era of basketball alongside of him: LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
LeBron James
James was the first to take hold of basketball's earnings list, eclipsing the $500 million threshold in 2024. His career contract earnings currently sits north of $581 million. Assuming he finishes out his admittedly meager 76ers deal, he'll take home about $590 million for his career.
Sportico reported that James was the NBA's top earner for 11 straight seasons, only sacrificing the belt to Curry in 2023-24. Most of James' wealth originates from his impressive endorsement and business portfolio. Sportico estimated he took home $132.6 million in total earnings last season. The vast majority of that total — $80 million — is believed to stem from endorsements.
All told, James has amassed $1.7 billion in career earnings — a record-total for an athlete.
Kevin Durant
Durant joined James in paradise during the 2025-26 season, surpassing the glass ceiling of $500 million with the $53.2 million he earned in his first year with the Rockets. The checks will continue to serve Durant well in Houston — his two-year contract extension kicks in this season. Durant is currently set to take home nearly $44 million in 2026-27, per Spotrac, the 28th-highest salary in the league.
Soon to be 38, Durant's game is likely to atrophy a bit in the years to come. His skillset should allow him to age more gracefully than some of his peers, though. Durant remains one of the sport's most efficient scorers, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists last year while flirting with 50/40/90. As long as he can continue to fill it up, he should be able to close the gap between him and James, especially after the latter took a mammoth pay cut to sign with Philadelphia.
Stephen Curry
Curry will have to wait until the start of the 2026-27 season to formally stake his claim as a $500 million club member. All signs are pointing to that being a foregone conclusion. The Warriors supernova remains key to all the good things Golden State is able to do. And while the Dubs are unlikely to pull up many trees this year, Curry can expect to be paid handsomely for his efforts.
Curry will take home a little more than $62 million next year. That puts him in rarefied air among earners. At 38 years old, Curry is the highest-paid player in the league.
The famed point guard was felled by injuries last season. But when he plays, he is elite, a Grade-A talent capable of anchoring a championship-winning side.
Curry has shown few signs of slowing down. His contract expires at the end of the year, but he should have ample options to determine where he'd want to play and add to his impressive earnings figures.
James Harden
Harden rounds out the list of $500 million men in the NBA. He, too, has an MVP under his belt, although he hasn't been able to hoist a championship like his colleagues have.
Harden was at the peak of his money-making ways during his final few years with the Rockets. There, he commanded a lengthy deal that saw him take home upwards of $42 million a year.
His latest deals haven't been all that close to his high-water mark. Still, Harden is receiving a steady and hulking paycheck heading into his late 30s. If he can hold out for the whole of his latest contract, he could place even higher on the all-time earnings list.