- James Harden has requested a trade and the 76ers have still not moved him
- The Lakers need to go all-in for the 2023-24 season, no matter what it takes
- LeBron James will be 39 years old next year and needs playmaking help
In the modern NBA, blockbuster trades have the power to reshape the entire landscape of the sport. Such is the case with the Los Angeles Lakers, who can pull off an astonishing coup by acquiring James Harden in a proposed trade that can send shockwaves through the basketball world.
This unforeseen move can set the stage for an unpredictable Big Three in Los Angeles. James Harden’s trade request has not only harmed his own image but has thrust the offseason into doubt for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite leading the NBA in assists per game last year (10.2), Harden is not happy to return to Philadelphia as Joel Embiid’s sidekick. Perhaps joining LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers would better suit his own needs and that of the Purple and Gold.
Fans, analysts, and competitors could be scrambling to make sense of the seismic shift in power within the league. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of this unexpected trade and explore the potential implications it holds for the Lakers, their rivals, and the entire NBA landscape. Buckle up, basketball fans, as we venture into a new era of unpredictability in the City of Angels.
Lakers Acquire James Harden In A Proposed Trade
The way to acquire James Harden from Philadelphia is to give the 76ers two new starters and a valuable first-round pick. Harden has requested a trade and that means his value isn’t as high as it should be and the Lakers could take advantage with the best possible offering at this moment.
Here is what the Los Angeles Lakers trade package for former MVP and two-time assist leader James Harden would look like.
Trade Package
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2029 First-Round Pick
This package essentially swaps point guards from the point of view of both teams while also providing Philadelphia with a new starting forward and a first-round pick that will be valuable for them someday.
The Lakers Must Go All-In In 2024 And Create The Best Big Three
The Los Angeles Lakers need to go all-in for the upcoming season. LeBron James will be 39 years old, Anthony Davis will be 31, and both have not been able to stay healthy for lengthy amounts of time.
As dominant as James was last year, posting 30.1 points, rebounds, and assists per game, he ran out of gas multiple times throughout the season.
As inhuman as he might seem, LeBron cannot fend off Father Time anymore. He will be tired at the end of games and Anthony Davis is not the most reliable superstar in terms of expecting him to turn up in crunch time through the regular season and playoffs.
That means that if the Lakers want to win, they have to take a gamble.
Harden is not exactly the best teammate to have in teams of locker room chemistry because he has other priorities outside of basketball.
Not to mention, he is on the decline and was very poor against the Boston Celtics in back-to-back close-out games. These are a lot of negatives to consider before acquiring the former MVP.
However, LeBron James is as close to retirement as we have seen him because of his age and also some family issues that could see him wanting to spend time away from basketball going forward. That means the Lakers need to push all their chips to the table this upcoming season and it is because Harden will make them better.
With James Harden running the offense and acting as an All-Star third option, the Lakers have a better trio than the Phoenix Suns and, hence the best Big Three in the NBA. Harden can average a double-double in his sleep with James and Davis beside him. He can also be “the man” whenever James is resting on the bench or taking his load management.
The Suns do not have three superstars who can influence more than one area of the game (scoring), while the Lakers’ Big Three can assist, rebound, play defense, and use basketball IQ to win games. The Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat (not yet) do not have a Big Three yet as well. The advantage goes to the Lakers in this deal.
Philadelphia 76ers Happy To Rebuild Around Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers won’t be able to immediately replace James Harden with this deal but can actually improve in the medium to long term. D’Angelo Russell is a young and talented point guard who can be a cornerstone for the 76ers’ future (27 years old).
He has shown the ability to score and create opportunities for his teammates after posting 17.8 points and 6.2 assists per game. Pairing him with future All-Star Tyrese Maxey would provide the 76ers with a strong backcourt to build around for years to come.
Trading Harden for Russell and Vanderbilt would provide the 76ers with financial flexibility. Harden’s contract is significant, considering he wants a long-term deal with maximum money, and moving him would free up cap space to potentially make other roster improvements or re-sign key players in the future.
Russell is on the books with a 2-year and $36 million extension, while Vanderbilt will make only $4,698,000 next season.
Jarred Vanderbilt is a versatile forward who can contribute on both ends of the floor. His athleticism and defensive prowess could complement Embiid’s game, adding depth to the frontcourt. His presence would also provide the 76ers with a young and energetic rotation player.
The inclusion of a 2029 first-round pick is a valuable asset. Draft picks hold significant value in the NBA, and they can be used to draft promising young talent or as trade assets to further strengthen the team in the future.
Russell’s ability to play off the ball and create scoring opportunities for his teammates could potentially create a more balanced and effective offensive system in Philadelphia.
The 76ers would be addressing specific needs with this trade – a young point guard, defensive versatility, and future assets. This could help them become more well-rounded and competitive in the long run.
A Win-Win Deal That Gives The Lakers Banner Number 18
In the end, a trade involving future Hall of Famer James Harden will result in a win-win situation, which hardly happens. The 76ers get a new starting lineup and running partner alongside Tyrese Maxey and a 24-year-old defensive forward who competed on both ends of the court with a first-round pick that will be valuable in 2029.
Meanwhile, the Lakers acquire their third star to go after the NBA championship with. Despite being 34 years old and no longer the player capable of dropping 30 points per game, James Harden is one of the best playmakers in the NBA and can take a massive load off LeBron James when it comes to running the offense.
The Lakers with James Harden will have a new lineup that fields Harden, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the recently-acquired Christian Wood which would become the legitimate favorite to win it all in the upcoming season.
Watch out, NBA, because if the Lakers acquire James Harden, it is game over with banner number 18 heading to Los Angeles while James captured the all-important fifth championship.
