A blockbuster trade casually happened late Monday night as the Philadelphia 76ers finally agreed to a James Harden trade, shipping him to the Los Angeles Clippers for an arrangement of depth and draft picks. While Harden is coming to LA, this is nothing that the Los Angeles Lakers should worry about.
Harden has been the opposite of consistent and he fits right in with the Clippers. The Clippers now have four stars past their prime with various levels of concerns, whether it be because of health (Kawhi Leonard and Paul George), because of play style (Russell Westbrook), or because they give up on every team they play for (James Harden).
In fact, the Harden trade is a positive one for the purple and gold. It does not change much in terms of the Clippers being a force but it did create a perfect free-agent signing for the Lakers to add with the team’s 15th roster spot.
The 76ers are waiving veteran guard Danny Green, sources tell ESPN. Philadelphia needed the roster spot to complete the trade with the Clippers. https://t.co/ZqnoYH5ZiB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023
Lakers should sign Danny Green after James Harden trade
Danny Green might be past his prime and he might not even be the same player he was the first time on the Los Angeles Lakers. That being said, he still adds value as a rotational veteran, especially with how the Lakers’ rotation is currently shaking out.
The one position that we here at Lake Show Life highlighted as a potential need was the two-guard position. Like clockwork, that position has struggled as Austin Reaves is not out to a hot start with the depth behind him not being great.
Max Christie, who many fans expected to see play a big role this season, has not been a part of the rotation. Instead, Cam Reddish has been getting playing time. Reddish has been fine but he is certainly flawed and him being the only backup shooting guard the team trusts is dangerous.
Green would provide much-needed depth in this regard. He is still an average-at-worst defender on the perimeter and can get hot from the three-point line. His overall impact and role may be smaller than it has been in years past but he could certainly still make a difference in a smaller role in the rotation.
It is hard to imagine there being a buyout signing in the near future that is better than Green. There might be more intriguing buyout targets come March but by then, the Lakers may have created another roster spot to utilize for the buyout market.
The James Harden trade is definitely going to have a ripple effect on the rest of the league. For the Lake Show, that ripple effect will be a positive one.