Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested early Saturday in Houston on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon in a motor vehicle, according to the Harris County District Clerk's Office.
Court records state the vehicle carrying James Harden and four others was stopped at approximately 3:40 a.m., and Harden was arrested at 3:41 a.m., with booking completed just before 5 a.m., per the clerk's office.
Charging documents say an officer saw a handgun in the cup holder of Harden's Mercedes, that the gun was in plain view and not in a holster, and that Harden confirmed ownership of the firearm, according to court records and charging documents.
Harden posted a $100 bond and was released from police custody, the charging documents show, and his arraignment is scheduled for June 22, as listed on the Harris County District Clerk's Office website.
Team Context And Career Details
The Cleveland Cavaliers issued a brief statement saying they were aware of the arrest and were gathering information, adding they were in contact with Harden and his representation and would continue to monitor developments, as reported by the Associated Press.
As reported by the Associated Press, Harden, 36, has the right to exercise a $42.3 million option to return to the Cavaliers next season and had indicated, when Cleveland's playoff run ended, that he would like to remain with the team.
Field Level Media reported Cleveland acquired Harden on Feb. 4 in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round draft pick, and that he started 26 games for the Cavaliers after the move.
Field Level Media noted Harden averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 26 games with Cleveland, and averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds across 70 games on the season, as reported by Field Level Media.
The Associated Press reported Harden is an 11-time All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA selection who earned MVP honors in the 2017-18 season, and that earlier he played for the Philadelphia 76ers following a prior trade reported by AP.
Field Level Media listed Harden's NBA stops as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, with career averages noted in source reporting.
