The Los Angeles Lakers are considered a surprising team that should risk a James Harden trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks the Lakers could trade D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura to the Sixers for Harden, who has requested a trade from Philadelphia.
“Russell and Hachimura can’t be moved until December 15, and if Harden is still in Philadelphia then, the Sixers might start to feel a hint of desperation,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “And while lineups with Harden, Austin Reaves and LeBron could be highly susceptible to the ‘too many cooks’ issue, maybe James is the kind of alpha personality Harden has always needed to survive a deep playoff run.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Lakers could start Harden, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron James and Anthony Davis if Los Angeles’ front office figured out a way to acquire Harden, who was born and raised in LA. Harden wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, but since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, Harden can’t control where he goes.
In 58 games for the Sixers last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. Philadelphia lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in seven games, while the Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Thus far, the Lakers and Sixers haven’t talked about a Harden trade, sources told NBA Analysis Network. If Harden is still on the Sixers in December, maybe Los Angeles and Philadelphia will talk then.
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