James Harden arrested on weapon charge in Houston
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- James Harden was taken into custody at 3:41 a.m. Saturday in Houston and charged with a misdemeanor count of unlawful carrying of a weapon, per Harris County court records.
- Court records state a handgun was observed on the seat of a car Harden owns — unholstered and in plain view; he was booked at 4:57 a.m. and released on a $100 bond, with arraignment set for June 22.
- The Cleveland Cavaliers said in a statement they are aware of the arrest, gathering information, and in contact with Harden and his representation; Harden's own representatives declined to comment.
- Harden's contract clock is ticking: he must decide by June 29 on a $42 million player option in which only $13.3 million is guaranteed, and the source notes it has been expected he would opt out and sign a new multiyear deal to stay in Cleveland.
- Harden, 36, averaged 19.2 points and 5.5 assists during the Cavaliers' playoff run that ended in the Eastern Conference finals, after being traded to Cleveland in February.
- Court documents list Harden as a Houston resident, and the report notes the AP contributed information to the filing.
Why it matters: The arrest lands 19 days before Harden's June 29 player-option deadline on a $42 million contract that carries only $13.3 million guaranteed, at a moment the source says all signs pointed to him opting out for a new multiyear deal in Cleveland. The Cavaliers have publicly reserved judgment but are monitoring the case, leaving his free-agency trajectory and the team's offseason planning suddenly tethered to the June 22 arraignment.
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