1:31 pm: The Cavaliers released a brief statement acknowledging Harden’s arrest, tweets Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
12:43 pm: Cavaliers guard James Harden, who could be a free agent this summer if he declines a $42.3MM player option that’s partially guaranteed for $13.3MM, was arrested early Saturday morning in Texas on a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon after police say a handgun in his car was in plain sight rather than in a holster, according to TMZ.
Harden was released on bond, with a court date set for June 22, per TMZ. His bond terms prohibit him from possessing a firearm or other weapons, and he has to submit to a random urinalysis and can’t consume alcohol, controlled substances, marijuana or other drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
Citing court records, Edward Lewis of The California Post reports that Harden’s arrest occurred at 3:41 am local time in Houston. The complain alleges the 11-time All-Star “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” had the weapon in his vehicle.
Harden had the most productive years of his career with the Rockets, leading the league in scoring three consecutive seasons and finishing in the top three in Most Valuable Player voting four straight times. Sources tell Lewis that Harden and a large group of friends were at a Hookah lounge before the arrest.
An eight-time All-NBA member and two-time assists champ, Harden spent two-and-a-half seasons with his hometown Clippers before angling his way to Cleveland ahead of the deadline when it became clear he didn’t have a long-term future in Los Angeles. The Cavs traded two-time All-Star point guard Darius Garland to the Clippers in the blockbuster deal.
In 70 total regular season games (34.8 minutes per contest) in 2025/26, Harden averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists (against 3.5 turnovers), 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .434/.375/.884 shooting splits. After an uneven first two rounds against Toronto and Detroit, Harden really struggled in Cleveland’s Eastern Conference finals sweep at the hands of New York. Overall, he averaged 19.2 PPG, 5.5 APG (4.7 turnovers), 5.1 RPG and 1.7 SPG on .410/.299/.831 shooting splits in 18 playoff games (37.3 MPG).
Harden, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers each expressed interest in continuing their working relationship after the team was eliminated by the Knicks. Harden, a former third overall pick, turns 37 years old in August.
Harden is gonna miss not being able to drink alcohol. Now is not a good time to get wrapped up into breaking the law because he is due a new contract. It isn’t that hard to register a gun. Putting it in a cup holder is straight up dumb
It was not registered? Apparently you see more in this post then we do
I read something from another news article
Definitely not unregistered lol
I read some other details on other articles that were more in depth
Bond terms on a misdemeanor? Glad I don’t live in Texas.
WHAT??? Excuse me WHAT? I’m not a big fan of guns. But, if you own one, so be it. Safety is the most important thing. What does it matter if the gun, in your car, is in a holster or not. Is there a holster lobby? That just sounds silly.
Has to do with why was it just laying on a seat? So if you have a accident it goes flying out your window. If the gun is secure in a holster on him its less likely can allow a child to get ahold of it or left in the car and forgotten by the driver. So it is a safety issue.
So charge him if it’s not holstered AND there would be a child in the car. And it’s highly doubtful it would automatically discharge in the event of an accident, unless you were talking about someone else getting a hold of the gun after being discharged.
The court systems are already overwhelmed and wasting any amount of time on this would be a joke. Fine him and move on.
Everyone stays lying and crying 24-7 about California, but Texas gotta be the least “free” state in the USA.
People claim california is so expensive but Texas property taxes are about twice as high 2% compared to 1% and the heating and cooling of your home will dry up all the savings of moving to Texas.
Correct, TX is a scam that convinces marks to move there because you can buy a house for cheap, but literally everything else is more expensive and the local government is run by pure grifters who run away from emergency problems instead of doing their jobs AND bend over backwards to throw everyone in prison or take civil rights away from everyone who isn’t a straight white male.
I used to live in Dallas for about four years. This is 100% accurate. The AC bill from reliant is insane over there. I spent usually monthly $300-400 on just cooling bc of how hot it gets during the summer and there wasn’t any real provider that was comparable pricing. You guys are right. The property taxes are also insane due to the fact that land is cheaper there but it also drives up the property taxes.
No state income tax paying for Favelas underneath the local overpass. Only you Bay normies try to defend the state that California is in rn
Can’t help myself…Is that a gun in your holster, or are you just glad to see me.
Why is Cleveland so hellbent on resigning harden when he basically lost them the ECF
Why are fans do hell-bent on the Cavs not resigning Harden? If they hadn’t traded for him they’d would’ve most likely been a play in team.
Sunk cost fallacy.
I’m not a James Harden fan at all but it seems like a stupid ass charge… cops trying to show their authority. Could’ve been a simple “you know that has to be in a holster” but naw cops being cops they want to blow stuff out of proportion
Yeah, extremely dumb charge that he’ll easily get dismissed. There’s no mention of why he was even pulled over. Erratic driving? Suspicion of DUI? Speeding? Nothing. So seems like it was a typical racist fishing expedition.
Maybe it was their favorite “window tint too dark”
We have a seriously messed up legal system
Wow – you see the world upside down
Do you think our legal system keeps anyone safe? Harden ain’t hurting anyone, he is James Harden, a mega-famous NBA pro athlete. The man contributes about 25% in total tip money of all USA strippers’ rents and mortgages every year. That’s a “please holster it properly in front of me and then everyone leaves” solution.
In 1980 the stone-cold murderer of George Moscone and Harvey Milk, Dan White (who later took his own life), was found not guilty because he claimed he ate too many twinkies that day and went temporarily insane and the judge went “ok sounds good, you are a good boy fireman, not guilty” <—- are you defending THAT?
Community college is really starting to pay off Dave
If only he were a good white Trumpy Republican wacko , then Ken Paxton would ride to his rescue with an insane letter while salivating over getting to hold Trump’s hand.
Go donate to Karmelo, failure.
Wrong forum. To you and the replier
Yeah, you gotta tie Harden in there to keep this within the TOS, like I did.
Nothing good happens at 3:41 AM
Huh. I thought it was illegal NOT to carry a gun in Texas?
And I’m not sure Harden will escape this charge – his defense isn’t great.
*Laughs in Darius Garland*
Lol not too smuckin fart!! Cavs really need to jettison this dude.
Big mistake if Cavs bring him back.