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The Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. The organization is motivated to get back to that point and finally make it to the NBA Finals. A major part of Cleveland’s plan this summer was adding more pieces around its core. Veteran James Harden gave the Cavaliers the flexibility to make other moves while he waited on a new contract. “On Monday, Harden declined his $42.3 million player option and is now a free agent. He is expected to return to Cleveland on a new contract, but Harden is waiting to sign to give the Cavs the flexibility they need to make a move like adding LeBron for next season, according to a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations,” The Athletic’s Joe Vardon wrote. Eventually, Harden agreed to a historic deal. The contract would push Harden past $500 million in career earnings, a mark only LeBron James and Kevin Durant had previously reached. “Free agent James Harden agreed to a new three-year, $97 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a player option for 2028-29 and a trade kicker, agents Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports told ESPN on Thursday. Currently, just two players in NBA history have eclipsed the $500 million mark in career earnings: Philadelphia's LeBron James and Houston's Kevin Durant. Harden sits at $414 million and would join the exclusive club after completing this new deal,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote. On Tuesday, the Cavaliers made the signing official with an announcement. “The Beard is back in The Land. We have officially resigned James Harden to a multi-year contract,” the Cavaliers posted. Harden has now joined an elite list alongside James and Durant. Once his contract is completed, he will have made $511 million throughout his career. Harden is right there among the best players to ever play the game, and now the veteran gets to run it back with Donovan Mitchell. In 2018, Harden won the MVP award, proving that he is one of the best players of his generation. He has also made the All-Star team 11 times throughout his career. The Cavaliers have their guy back, and they have added new pieces around him. The future is bright in Cleveland. More NBA news: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard reportedly with Raptors on team retreat despite trade being unfinished Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards sends loud message to NBA while meeting ex-Warrior Jonathan Kuminga Heat reportedly interested in signing $38M energetic 11-year journeyman to backup Davion Mitchell 76ers sign ex-Knicks $5M 2-time NBA champion to potentially team with LeBron James, Jaylen Brown