NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, who now works for ESPN, believes the Los Angeles Lakers should trade for James Harden, who has requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden wants the Sixers to trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Sixers and Clippers haven’t come close to making a deal. Perkins thinks the Lakers should try to acquire Harden once D’Angelo Russell becomes trade-eligible in December.
Harden was born and raised in California and has a rapport with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report believes the Lakers could trade Russell and Rui Hachimura to the Sixers for Harden, who led the NBA in assists per game last season for the second time in his career.
“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. “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.”
The Lakers could start Harden, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron and Davis if Los Angeles’ front office figured out a way to acquire Harden, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season. Thus far, the Lakers and Sixers haven’t talked about a Harden trade, league sources told NBA Analysis Network.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
If Harden is still on the Sixers in December, Perkins believes the Lakers should try to trade for The Beard, who is one of the best players in NBA history. Harden has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists. He has made 10 All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams and has won two assists titles, three scoring titles and one MVP Award.
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