James Harden gets new $97M contract weeks after gun arrest

The Cleveland Cavaliers and James Harden agreed to a new contract on Thursday, just a few weeks after the superstar guard was arrested in Houston.

Harden is now slated to get $97 million over the next three years from the Cavaliers, the 11-time All-Star’s agents told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The pact, which includes a player option as well as a trade kicker, will officially push Harden’s all-time NBA earnings to $511 million, according to Charania.

The stunning figure means Harden will join LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant as the only four players in league history to ever cross the half billion plateau.

The timing of the agreement is notable, considering Harden was just thrown behind bars in Texas on June 13.

The Houston Police Department alleged that during a routine traffic stop, Harden had an unholstered firearm in plain view in his vehicle. He was eventually charged with one misdemeanor count of unlawful carrying of weapons.

However, the case was dismissed on Aug. 6 after Harris County prosecutors stated Harden had completed an “alternative resolution agreement.”

Harden never publicly commented on the incident, though the Cavaliers said on the day of his arrest that they were “aware” of the situation and were “gathering additional information.”

Harden joined the Cavaliers in February in a deal with the Clippers that included two-time All-Star Darius Garland. In 26 games with Cleveland following the trade, Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per contest.

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