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Grade the trade: Lakers buy low on James Harden in proposed deal

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes his way past James Harden #1 and Georges Niang #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers to dispute a call during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes his way past James Harden #1 and Georges Niang #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers to dispute a call during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Every six months there is a new NBA superstar that is disgruntled and demands a trade and for the third time in the last three years, James Harden is that superstar. The Harden situation is deteriorating so quickly that the Los Angeles Lakers may have a chance to eventually join the fray.

Harden demanded a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason and after weeks of speculation, it was reported that the 76ers were ending their pursuit of trading Harden. The price was not right and the 76ers were not going to get lowballed.

This has sparked even more frustration out of Harden, who went as far as to say that he will never play for an organization that 76ers’ president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is a part of. Harden and Morey previously spent time together in Houston and now the former MVP is calling Morey a liar.

Harden is on an expiring contract and his trade value is already at a low point in his career. As this situation drags along his value is only going to get lower and lower. If this drags on long enough, there could be some unexpected teams that enter the conversation.

The Los Angeles Lakers could theoretically make a James Harden trade work in the future.

If Harden gets traded before the regular season then the Lakers do not have a chance. Heck, if Harden is traded before the turn of the calendar year then the Lakers won’t have a chance. But if this drags into 2024 and approaches the trade deadline then there is a world in which the Lakers could make a deal happen.

But would it be worth it? Would it be a good trade for the Lakers to make? Let’s dive into what a trade package for Harden would conceivably look like and hand out grades for both parties.

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