Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested early Saturday morning in Houston, Texas, and charged with a misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon. According to Harris County court records, the 11-time NBA All-Star was taken into custody after a handgun was allegedly observed in the front seat of his vehicle. “The gun was not holstered and was in plain view, per the records,” ESPN stated. “Texas allows constitutional carry, yet James Harden was arrested because his legally owned firearm wasn’t in a holster in his vehicle. The government has no business micromanaging how a law-abiding citizen secures their own gun,” Gun Owners of America commented. Texas allows constitutional carry, yet James Harden was arrested because his legally owned firearm wasn’t in a holster in his vehicle. The government has no business micromanaging how a law-abiding citizen secures their own gun. https://t.co/lPsI7C44HK — Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) June 13, 2026 ESPN shared further: 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.” According to the conditions of his bond, Harden has been ordered not to possess any weapons or consume alcohol or drugs and must submit to random urine tests. The former NBA MVP and three-time scoring champion joined the Cavaliers after stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers. The Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks, the eventual 2026 NBA champions, in the Eastern Conference finals. “NBA star James Harden was arrested in Houston early this morning for an unholstered firearm in his car. No violence. No threats. No actual crime. Just an unholstered firearm,” Black Guns Matter commented. “This is a blatant misuse of taxpayer resources and a clear violation of the Second Amendment,” it added. NBA star James Harden was arrested in Houston early this morning for an unholstered firearm in his car. No violence. No threats. No actual crime. Just an unholstered firearm. This is a blatant misuse of taxpayer resources and a clear violation of the Second Amendment. https://t.co/05Yno3WvRp — Black Guns Matter (@blkgunsmattr) June 13, 2026 TMZ noted: The issue unfolded in Houston, where Harden remains one of the most recognizable athletes in the city’s history thanks to his nine-year run with the Rockets. Even after changing teams, “The Beard” has maintained strong ties to H-Town. Of course, Harden’s been playing in the NBA since 2009 — joining OKC as a 3rd overall draft pick.