MÁLAGA — After spending several days in Spain with the Cavaliers, James Harden has reportedly reached the dangerous stage of an overseas trip where the food is good, the weather is better and returning home begins to feel increasingly optional.
Cleveland is holding training camp in Málaga, and Harden has been openly enjoying the experience enough to say he would love to play in Spain someday.
Sources say that statement was initially interpreted as appreciation for European basketball before Harden praised the climate again and asked several follow-up questions about local restaurants.
“He’s just taking everything in,” one team source said. “A little too successfully.”
By Day 3, Harden had reportedly gone from “this place is beautiful” to quietly wondering how difficult it would be to classify an entire basketball season as a business trip.
Teammates remain confident he will return with the Cavaliers, though several have noticed Harden now evaluates cities primarily by weather, nightlife, food quality and whether afternoon meals are socially encouraged.
European clubs have not announced any formal interest.
This has not stopped fans from producing hypothetical lineups.
Harden, meanwhile, insists he is focused on the upcoming NBA season.
He has also reportedly asked whether Málaga is this nice in January.
