James Harden is available for a trade and the Lakers should go all-in for him this summer.

The Los Angeles Lakers, a storied franchise with a rich history of championship victories, are no strangers to making bold moves to secure their position as contenders in the league. The most talked about player is James Harden, the former MVP who has requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers for a chance to go elsewhere to find his happiness. In come the Lakers, who can acquire The Beard in a surprising blockbuster trade.

This article delves into the intriguing proposition of the Los Angeles Lakers pursuing James Harden, a dynamic scorer and perennial All-Star, and outlines five compelling reasons why such a gamble might be worth the risk. Harden, known for his scoring prowess and playmaking abilities, could potentially form a formidable trio alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis with an exceptional trade package.

Trade Details

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: James Harden

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2029 First-Round Pick

While the notion of this acquisition undoubtedly carries its fair share of uncertainties due to the reigning assist leader’s attitude, it also offers the Lakers an opportunity to strengthen their championship aspirations and secure a path to NBA glory. Here are the reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers should acquire James Harden.

5. James Harden Led The League In Assists Last Season

Harden’s ability to lead the league in assists (twice) is a testament to his versatility as a basketball player. While he’s primarily known for his scoring, he has shown the capacity to adapt and become a primary playmaker for his team as he has aged. In 2023, the former three-time scoring champion averaged 10.7 assists per game, playing alongside another superstar in Joel Embiid.

This quality of allowing another superstar to dominate is invaluable, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis having carried a significant offensive load for the Lakers. Adding Harden, who can orchestrate plays and create scoring opportunities for himself and others, would help alleviate some of that burden. This could translate into fresher legs and reduced wear-and-tear on LeBron and Davis over the course of the season, which is crucial for a deep playoff run.

Especially for a Lakers team that already boasts LeBron James, one of the best playmakers in NBA history. Pairing Harden’s playmaking s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s with LeBron’s basketball IQ could create a dynamic offensive tandem that keeps defenses constantly guessing. As a third option, Harden can be the primary playmaker.

4. James Harden Is Still In His Prime

At the core of James Harden’s prime years is his All-Star offensive ability at 34 years old. Even if he has naturally lost some quickness and explosiveness, he possesses a unique combination of ball-handling s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, footwork, and an array of scoring moves that make him one of the most dominant offensive players in the league. Even when being a pass-first player the last two seasons, he has put up at least 21 points per game.

However, Harden needs to get back into All-Star shape. The shooting guard is known to put on weight during the offseason and certainly when dealing with a trade situation, so he will need to be placed in a position to play heavy minutes whenever James or Davis are out due to load management or injuries. Since the guard does not focus on scoring anymore, Harden’s prime can be extended just enough to have an impact with the Lakers.

Finally, prime years in the NBA often coincide with a player’s peak basketball IQ and decision-making abilities. Harden’s experience in high-pressure situations, numerous playoff appearances, and his time as a franchise player for the Houston Rockets have honed his decision-making s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s.

He understands when to take over a game and when to involve his teammates, a valuable asset in clutch moments for a Lakers team that failed in four straight close games against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals last season.

3. Pick And Roll (Pop) With Anthony Davis Would Create Unstoppable Force

The pick-and-roll is one of the most effective plays in basketball, and it becomes exponentially more potent when executed by two elite talents. In Harden and Davis, the Lakers would possess a duo that can exploit defenses in multiple ways. Harden’s ability to score off the dribble or distribute the ball, combined with Davis’s versatility as a scorer, can put immense pressure on opposing teams.

Defending a pick-and-roll involving Harden and Davis is a daunting task for any defense. Teams would be forced to make difficult choices. If defenders collapse on Harden, he can find Davis for an open shot or drive to the rim himself. If they focus on Davis, Harden has the option to take the shot, drive, or make a pass to a teammate. This kind of dilemma often results in high-percentage scoring opportunities.

Davis is a career 54.1% shooter on two-point field goals and that would mean he will convert on the majority of his shots from mid-range or at the rim. Leaving Harden open from the perimeter is not a great idea since he can step back and drain shots at a career 36.3% clip.

Remember, the former MVP ranks third all-time in three-pointers made. Even leaving Harden alone in one-on-one situations means the guard can get an easy two points at the rim or get fouled, where he converts a career 86.0%.

2. LeBron James Can Finally Relax And Not Play Point Guard

LeBron James will be 39 years old at some point next season and while he is still a top-10 player in the game, he can’t be expected to run and gun as much anymore. Perhaps it is time the Lakers control the tempo with an All-Star guard and allow The King to rest a little more.

Throughout his illustrious career, LeBron James has often been tasked with serving as the primary playmaker and point guard for his teams. While he has excelled in this role, it has also meant that he shoulders a significant ball-handling burden.

Acquiring James Harden, who is a proficient ball-handler and playmaker himself, would allow LeBron to share the ball-handling duties and reduce the physical and mental toll on him over the course of a long season. James might not need to average his career 7.3 assists per game going forward.

The addition of Harden would also provide the Lakers with greater positional flexibility. LeBron can move off the ball, potentially playing as a small forward or power forward, where he can exploit mismatches and use his scoring ability to full effect. This versatility would make the Lakers more unpredictable and harder to defend.

Finally and most importantly, reducing LeBron’s ball-handling responsibilities during the regular season can help preserve his energy for the playoffs, where he has historically elevated his game. Having a playmaker like Harden can also relieve some of the pressure on LeBron to carry the offense during playoff runs, leading to fresher legs and improved performance when it matters most, as The King might have run out of steam during the Western Conference Finals last year.

1. James Harden Helps The Lakers Win An NBA Championship

Even with the potential risks that come about in terms of his difficult attitude, James Harden puts the Lakers over the top in terms of contention. Harden will only be successful and focused in a franchise that takes no-nonsense from a player who does not have a say due to LeBron James and Anthony Davis ahead of him. At the same time, he can be relegated to the third option and if he does not perform, there will be buffets.

Harden is also looking for his first championship. He lost in the 2012 NBA Finals as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder and has not since returned to the Finals. The 2018 MVP winner realizes that he could join a list of NBA Hall of Famers who have not won a title and that won’t be a good look considering he has played with elite talent including Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Russell Westbrook, and Joel Embiid. Harden is motivated to win and playing in Los Angeles suits his lifestyle preferences as well.

Most importantly, LeBron James gets his rest during the regular season, Anthony Davis has another trustworthy playmaker, and the Lakers are thrust into a heavy win-now mode. James Harden also creates a solid starting lineup alongside James, Davis, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura.

The championship Denver Nuggets do not have three All-Stars the Golden State Warriors are certainly older with an out-of-prime trio of Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Chris Paul. The Phoenix Suns can match the Lakers in terms of raw Big Three talent, but they won’t have the depth of the Lakers who have brought in new faces including Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, and Gabe Vincent among others.

The Lakers have enough depth to lose two starters in D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt, and that gives them an advantage over the Nuggets, Suns, and Warriors in their conference. With a motivated James Harden, the Lakers are guaranteed a Western Conference Finals berth with a massive chance to win the 2024 championship.