Cavaliers' Harden charged with unlawful carrying of weapon - ESPN

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested early Saturday morning in Houston and has been charged with a misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon.

According to Harris County court records, Harden was taken into custody at 3:41 a.m. when a handgun was observed on the seat of a car Harden owns. The gun was not holstered and was in plain view, per the records.

Harden was booked at 4:57 a.m. and later released after paying a $100 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for June 22, according to the clerk's office website. Harden is listed as a Houston resident in court documents.

«The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information,» the Cavaliers said in a statement. «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.»

Representatives for Harden declined to comment.

Harden is potentially going to be a free agent at the end of the month. He has a $42 million player option decision he must make by June 29 but only $13.3 million is guaranteed. It has been expected Harden would opt out of the contract and sign a new multiyear deal to remain in Cleveland, where he was traded in February.

Harden, 36, averaged 19.2 points and 5.5 assists during the playoff run in helping the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.