{
  "id": 2208423,
  "title": "The overlooked clause in James Harden’s $97 million Cavaliers agreement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/the-overlooked-clause-in-james-hardens-97-million-cavaliers-agreement",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T19:27:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/overlooked-clause-james-harden-97-192748958.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "James Harden has signed a new three-year, $97 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to sources. The deal includes a player option for the third year and a trade kicker clause. This clause serves as insurance for Harden, as it would cause his salary to jump by 15% if he were ever traded, with the new team required to pay the difference. Essentially, this would make him significantly more expensive and harder to move. The contract is a significant commitment from the Cavaliers, as it shows their intention to build around Harden and Donovan Mitchell for the long term. The inclusion of the trade kicker indicates that the Cavaliers are confident in Harden's commitment to the team.",
  "summary": "James Harden locked in a new three-year, $97 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers featuring a hidden 15% trade kicker clause.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "James Harden's new contract with Cavaliers fully guaranteed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/james-hardens-new-contract-with-cavaliers-fully-guaranteed",
        "published": "2026-08-20T18:47:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}