Jason Burgos
Following an embarrassing loss to the New York Knicks in an elimination game on Monday night, James Harden proved one last time why the Cleveland Cavaliers must let him walk in free agency this summer.
There is no doubt that Harden is heading to the Hall of Fame once he decides his NBA career is over. He is an 11-time All-Star. Earned All-NBA honors eight times and is a one-time MVP. However, there is one thing that has followed him around his entire career. When the postseason arrives, he often disappears.
Unfortunately for Cavaliers fans, that version of Harden returned during the 2026 NBA playoffs. The soon-to-be 37-year-old did have some good moments during the Cavs run to the conference finals — like scoring 30 points in a big Game 5 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons. Yet, for the most part, Cleveland succeeded despite Harden being a turnover machine and a defensive weakness in all three of their series.
Harden has a player option this offseason that he is expected to exercise so he can get one final multi-year deal on the open market. Various reports have suggested that he would like to stay in Cleveland, and the Cavaliers want him back. However, his playoff performance gave enough reason for the organization to reconsider a reunion.
If that wasn’t enough, following an embarrassing 130-93 defeat at home in an elimination game where Harden managed 12 points and five more turnovers, the future Hall of Famer gave Cavaliers management one more reason to let him walk in NBA free agency.
James Harden claims he played ‘extremely solid defense’ during playoffs
“I think I did pretty good. I don’t grade myself off shot making,” Harden said after the game when asked about assessing his playoff run. “I think coming here was being just a piece to fulfil whatever needed to be fulfilled. Defensively, being extremely solid. Offensively, getting guys shots. Fitting into a system that was already in place.”
“… It was 4-0, but I don’t think we had a chance as far as our best shot,” he added. “… Because genuinely I do feel like we’re the better team.”
If Harden had to pat himself on the back for playing a role in the Cavaliers’ strong finish to the regular season, then fine. However, for a player seeking a new long-term deal with a team that has championship aspirations, he needed to offer a far more humble response after his team was swept in the Conference Finals. Especially when he played a role in their ouster and was embarrassed for three massive minutes by Jalen Brunson in Game 1 of this series.
Harden needed to sell the point that he can be the missing piece to a Finals contender in 2026-27. Instead, he showed that he is unwilling to take blame for his part in the Cavaliers’ elimination and can’t even admit his own limitations. If he opts out of his contract this summer, the team must let him take his defense and playoff baggage elsewhere.
