James Harden joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in February. Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesJames Harden joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in February. Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesFormer NBA MVP James Harden arrested on weapon charge in Houston11-time All-Star released on $100 bond
Police spotted handgun in player’s Mercedes
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was released from a Houston jail after he was arrested early on Saturday morning on a misdemeanor gun violation.
Harden was driving through downtown Houston with four others when he was stopped by police just before 4am. When Harden drove up behind another vehicle, an officer spotted a handgun in the cup holder of his Mercedes, according to court records.
Harden confirmed that the gun was his and was arrested and booked at Harris County Jail, according to court records. He was released on a $100 bond, and he has a court date scheduled for 22 June.
The Cavaliers have yet to comment on the incident.
Harden, an 11-time All-Star and 2017-18 league MVP, is with his sixth NBA team. Cleveland acquired him in a February trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 36-year-old is eligible to be a free agent at the end of June, although he is expected to stay with the Cavaliers after helping them to the Eastern Conference finals this season.
He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 26 games with the Cavaliers. On the season, he averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 70 games.
Since entering the NBA as the No 3 overall pick in the 2009 draft, Harden has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers and Cavaliers but is yet to win an NBA championship in a career that will almost certainly result in him being elected to the Hall of Fame.
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