Grade the trade: Lakers land James Harden in controversial proposed deal

By Jason Reed | Oct 12, 2023

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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(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /

The proposed James Harden trade for the Los Angeles Lakers:

As mentioned, the Lakers would have to wait until December 15 for this to even be a possibility. If the situation continues to sour and the 76ers are looking to get Harden off their hands ASAP then the Lakers are never going to be a surprise suitor.

Here is what the proposed trade package for Harden was built around:

Bailey does not specify what kind of draft asset the Lakers would have to trade but it is not hard to connect the dots based on Harden’s value. It is very unlikely that a team would be willing to part ways with an unprotected first-round pick for Harden, so it would likely be some kind of protected pick or pick swap.

Philly is obviously going to try its best to get an unprotected pick for Harden but the team has no leverage in this situation. If the Lakers were truly an option then that means the 76ers would hit a point of desperation and would likey be forced to take a deal without an unprotected pick.

D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hahcimura’s combined salaries do match up nicely with a superstar salary and that would be the easiest package to create for a star. It also isn’t inconceivable that the front office would be pressured by LeBron James and Anthony Davis to go out and get another star. The two have done it in the past and if things aren’t quite clicking then they will do it again.

So while there is definitely a world in which the Lakers could make a surprise trade, would it actually make any sense? Let’s dive into the grades for both teams.

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