Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has been ranked as the 30th-best player in the NBA in a recent league-wide list. The future Hall of Famer finds himself one spot behind Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams and one ahead of the Lakers' Austin Reaves. This evaluation comes as the Cavaliers wrap up their preseason schedule, including a 132-116 loss to the Orlando Magic on October 13.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson plans to start Harden alongside Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. That group looks formidable on paper. Harden, who Cleveland acquired from the LA Clippers last season, averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per game in the regular season. His playmaking will be vital for a team aiming to return to the Eastern Conference Finals.
He also played a direct role in building the roster, personally recruiting new forward Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade deal with Denver. Harden's career numbers are staggering. He holds career averages of 24.0 points and 7.3 assists, ranks second all-time in three-pointers made, and is eighth in triple-doubles. He's an 11-time All-Star and the 2018 MVP.
The team's final tune-ups presented a mixed bag. After a 113-124 loss to Boston on October 8, they bounced back with a 119-105 win over Orlando on October 11. Their preseason concluded with that 132-116 defeat against the same Magic squad two days later. These games offered Atkinson a final look at rotations before the real action begins.
Cleveland's run to the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals, their first without LeBron James since 1992, showed their potential. They beat Toronto and Detroit before being swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks. The front office responded by locking in their core. Mitchell signed a massive four-year, $273 million extension this offseason, and Harden inked a three-year, $97 million deal.
The Cavaliers open the 2026-27 NBA season on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22. It will be an emotional and electric atmosphere, featuring LeBron James facing his former team after signing with Philly. It would have been fascinating to see James play with Harden and Mitchell, but that storyline will now play out as a rivalry.
Harden's legacy chase continues. He made the Finals in 2012 with Oklahoma City, losing to LeBron's Heat. Winning a title in Cleveland would cement his legendary career. With a talented starting five and proven postseason experience, the Cavaliers have the pieces to make another deep playoff run. Fans can track the team's progress through the full season schedule on our schedule page.
