It’s safe to say everyone is excited to tune into the Los Angeles Lakers’ highly anticipated first-round playoff clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Lakers’ road to the NBA finals starts on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. While the Lakers aren’t title favorites, they have enough star power to make things interesting on the big stage.
However, with a concerning finish to the 2024-25 campaign, Los Angeles would likely reach into their bag of tricks in free agency and complete a valuable deal for a high-level asset.
The organization may consider acquiring an ex-Houston Rockets MVP this summer to help James, a four-time NBA champion, catch Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA champion.
James Harden entered the year with something to prove. The 35-year-old veteran appeared in 72 games with the Los Angeles Clippers last year but experienced a down year by his standards.
Harden, who averaged 30+ points per game in three consecutive seasons with the Rockets earlier in his career and secured the 2018 MVP award, averaged 16.6 points per game, 8.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game, shooting 42.8% from the field and 38.1% from three.
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Without Paul George on the roster this season, Harden has elevated his play in Year 16.
The 6-foot-5 step-back king’s effortless downhill driver averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per contest, shooting 41.0% from the field and 35.2% from deep on a Clippers squad that secured the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
Harden isn’t in his prime, but his ability to come through in isolation situations, embrace off-ball responsibilities, and continue manipulating defenders at age 35 could earn him a look from the Lakers in the offseason.
The aging superstar would help relieve much-needed pressure on Doncic and James in Los Angeles regarding playmaking and scoring.
It may not be a perfect fit, but acquiring a high-caliber player like Harden wouldn’t be considered a franchise-destroying offseason move.
If the Arizona State product doesn’t accept his upcoming player option, it wouldn’t be shocking to witness him land on Los Angeles’ long list of free agency targets.
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