A misdemeanor gun charge against NBA star James Harden has been dismissed. On August 6, a Houston judge dismissed the charge after Harden completed an alternative resolution program, the Associated Press reported. The charge stemmed from a June arrest when police found a handgun in his car during a traffic stop.
Harden was arrested on June 13 after police discovered a handgun in his vehicle during a traffic stop in Houston around 3:41 a.m. Under Texas law, carrying a gun in plain view inside a vehicle without a license can result in a misdemeanor charge. Court records said the handgun was in plain view and not in a holster. Harden was booked before 5 a.m. and released on a $100 bond the same morning.
The dismissal came after the Harris County District Attorney's Office requested it, following Harden's completion of the program, which allowed him to avoid a criminal record. Such programs often involve community service, although the specific terms of Harden's agreement were not disclosed, according to court records.
Harden, a free agent, recently declined a $42.3 million player option to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, aiming for a longer contract. Despite the legal troubles, he remains a sought-after player, having averaged 23.6 points per game last season. The Cavaliers have expressed interest in retaining him, but a deal has not yet been finalized. The charge was never viewed as an obstacle to Harden's anticipated return to Cleveland.
The Cavaliers acknowledged the situation when it first occurred, stating they were gathering more information. Harden, who has not publicly commented on the incident, is an 11-time All-Star and a former MVP. He previously played for the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers before joining the Cavaliers.
The delay in finalizing his new deal has been about roster flexibility, not Harden's legal situation. Cleveland has been exploring additional moves this offseason, including a possible sign-and-trade for Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson. Harden has been willing to wait on finalizing his deal while the Cavaliers determine what else they can accomplish. With the Texas case resolved, one piece of Harden's offseason business is officially behind him. Harden won the league's Most Valuable Player award in 2018 and ranks among the most prolific scorers of his generation. At this stage of his career, the Cleveland negotiations will likely define his legacy, and with the legal matter closed, he can focus entirely on basketball.