James Harden has officially re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Ohio franchise potentially becoming the final stop of the 2018 NBA MVP’s illustrious career.

Harden was arguably the biggest name remaining on the NBA free-agent market, but there was little doubt about where he would end up. Since the beginning of free agency, reports had indicated that Harden and the Cavaliers were working toward a new agreement.

The deal is now official, with the 2018 MVP agreeing to a three-year, $97 million contract to remain in Cleveland.

Harden joined the Cavaliers in February in a trade that sent Darius Garland the other way, and the veteran guard made it clear that he wanted to remain with a team capable of competing for an NBA championship.

The Cavaliers are coming off an impressive campaign in which they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland survived two playoff series that went to Game 7 before being swept by the eventual champions, the New York Knicks.

Cleveland had also hoped to bring back LeBron James for what would have been a third and final stint with the franchise, but that move failed to materialise.

Instead, the Cavaliers have strengthened their roster in other areas. Alongside re-signing Harden, Cleveland acquired promising Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson in a deal that sent Max Strus in the opposite direction.

The Cavs have also secured the future of franchise star Donovan Mitchell, giving the team a strong core heading into the new season.

Overall, it has been an encouraging offseason for Cleveland, who are expected to be one of the teams worth watching in the Eastern Conference.

For Harden, meanwhile, the new contract could represent the beginning of the final chapter of his career. The veteran guard will turn 37 in a few days, and unless he eventually requests another trade, Cleveland could well be where the former MVP finishes his NBA journey.