No Regrets Joining the Cavaliers! Harden: I Want to Play Until My 20th Season and Have Started Planning for Life After Retirement

On May 29, Beijing time, Cavaliers star James Harden spoke with Andscape about his current situation. He expressed his desire to play 20 seasons in the NBA and acknowledged that he has already begun planning for life after retirement. Andscape reported the following—

Next season, Harden will turn 37 and enter his 18th NBA season, with widespread expectation that he will remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 11-time All-Star’s ultimate goal is to complete 20 seasons, but he is also aware that his career is nearing its end.

Late Monday night local time, Harden said in an interview with Andscape: “I love basketball. When it’s time to stop, I’ll know it myself.I genuinely want to make it to my 20th season. I’ve also started planning for life after retirement.I’m always thinking about my future direction. Sometimes I ask myself: Do I still want to stay in basketball? Even though I haven’t won a championship yet, I see things clearly. Looking back at the path I’ve traveled, I know it all in my heart.”

“There are too many questions to answer about the future, and I’m slowly figuring it out. This process is challenging but also rewarding. I have enough ability to explore new directions outside of basketball that can fill me with passion and aspiration.”

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks, and both Harden and the entire team are now in a period of regrouping.

On February 6, Harden was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cavaliers in exchange for guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick. After joining, he played 26 regular-season games for the Cavaliers, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. However, in the Eastern Conference Finals, Harden averaged 37 minutes per game, posting 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 steals, with 4.3 turnovers; his field goal percentage was just 38.9%, and his three-point percentage was as low as 17.9%.

Harden believes that after a full offseason of training, he and the Cavaliers will develop better chemistry, leading to improved overall performance and results.

“I told my teammates that I’m willing to give everything for the team,”Harden said. “If the team needs me to reduce my ball handling, lower my shot attempts, and play off the ball, I’m fully on board. Whatever the team asks, I’m willing to adapt. That’s my mentality.”

Harden holds a player option for the 2026-27 season worth $42.3 million, and he can also choose to opt out and become a free agent. ESPN salary expert Bobby Marks predicted that if Harden exercises his opt-out, the Cavaliers would offer him a two-year deal totaling $56 million. This contract would keep Harden alongside Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen, preserving the team’s current championship window while keeping the payroll below the league’s second luxury tax apron.

During the postgame press conference after Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when asked if he would stay with the Cavaliers next season, Harden replied clearly: “One hundred percent. I’m definitely staying.”

Harden admitted that his turbulent stint with the Cavaliers has been a great experience and reiterated his desire to stay. The Los Angeles native, who has spent most of his career as the primary ball handler, has successfully adjusted to playing off the ball alongside Mitchell. He firmly believes that the Cavaliers will be even stronger next season.

“If we can add a few more capable players, make tactical adjustments, and have the whole team mesh for an entire full season, we absolutely have a chance,” Harden said. “This postseason has been tough for us. The players still don’t know each other well enough; we’re all figuring out the right plays and styles. There are arguments and emotions on the court—these are all part of the process of growing together.”

“Going through this playoff experience and a full offseason of practice will definitely transform us. Entering my 18th year, I no longer care about personal gains—I only want to win.”

Before the Eastern Conference Finals began, Mitchell had already mentioned that the team was still adjusting to playing with Harden. The two had known each other for years through their association with Adidas and offseason training, and after the trade, their relationship grew even closer, making it a joy to play together.Harden also revealed that he will attend Mitchell’s wedding during the offseason. Mitchell’s fiancée is singer and actress Coco Jones.

“Donovan is a really good person—grounded and hardworking,” Harden said. “He’s about to get married, has a clear life plan, and never slacks off in training. Both of us are extremely hungry to win a championship and share the same goal. This summer, the team needs to reorganize, plan, and strengthen the roster. We’ll come back strong next year.”

Harden is a future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. The 2018 MVP has played 191 career playoff games without winning a championship, just two games shy of Karl Malone’s NBA record. Harden also shares the record for most playoff wins without a title (98) with Malone.

This postseason, Harden faced considerable criticism from outsiders regarding his turnovers, defense, and shot selection, but Mitchell stated that he has personally seen Harden playing through injuries, with hamstring and thumb issues persisting throughout.

“Harden has completely changed the game of basketball. He has created a style that never existed before,” Mitchell said. “Nowadays, people judge by championships and easily dismiss a player who changes the game. In the 75-year history of the league, only a few have achieved what he has—Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan are among them, and Harden is right there. I understand the regret of not winning it all, and I feel that his greatness is often underestimated.”

As for being traded to the Cavaliers, Harden stated bluntly that he has no regrets.“I’ve never had regrets in my life. Every choice I’ve made was my own. Overall, that’s just how life is. I have no complaints—I just keep moving forward.”