James Harden was arrested in Houston in the early hours of Saturday morning and reportedly charged with unlawful possession of a weapon in a vehicle.
The Cleveland Cavaliers star was reportedly caught by the police with an unconcealed weapon in his vehicle. He was later released on bond.
Details of James Harden’s Arrest in Houston
According to the NY Post, Harden was seen at a hookah lounge in Houston with a large group of friends before the arrest. He was reportedly taken into custody at 3:41 a.m. local time and was booked on one misdemeanor charge. More details about the arrest have not yet been released, but the Cavaliers star is due back in court on June 22 for his arraignment.
The timing could not be worse given Harden’s contract situation. The 36-year-old has a $42.3 million player option for next season, but multiple reports had suggested he was leaning toward opting out and signing a new multi-year deal with the Cavaliers rather than exercising the option.
Cleveland already has the most expensive payroll in the league from a luxury tax standpoint, and the front office was reportedly already reconsidering its roster construction after being swept so convincingly by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
This is not Harden’s first time making off-court headlines in Houston, though previous matters were civil rather than criminal.
Harden spent nine years in Houston with the Rockets from 2012 to 2021. He joined the Cavaliers in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers at the deadline this year. The 36-year-old played a crucial role in the franchise’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, he struggled against the Knicks last month.
The 2018 NBA MVP and 11-time NBA All-Star averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Cavaliers during the regular season. His points-per-game average dropped to 19.2 during the playoffs, while his shooting percentage fell to 41.0%.
Under Texas law, unlawful carrying of a weapon in a vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor when the weapon is not in a holster, which carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000. The NBA has not yet commented on the matter, and it remains to be seen whether the league will open a conduct investigation.
