James Harden to team-up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis? 76ers star’s former teammate makes WILD PREDICTION
Kendrick Perkins predicts James Harden will join the Lakers in free agency.
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L- Kendrick Perkins (Via ESPN) and R- James Harden (Via Getty)
The NBA offseason is always full of drama and intrigue, but one former player has dropped a bombshell that could change the landscape of the league. Kendrick Perkins, who played with James Harden on the Oklahoma City Thunder, predicts on ESPN’s “NBA Today” that he believes the Philadelphia 76ers star will team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.
Perkins made his jaw-dropping prediction on Wednesday, along with several other big moves that he sees happening this summer. Perkins said that he thinks Bradley Beal will land on the Celtics, Fred VanVleet will ink a deal with the Sixers, Brook Lopez will re-sign with the Bucks, and Draymond Green will bolt to the Suns.
But the most shocking of all was his pick for Harden, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the league. Harden had a phenomenal season with the 76ers, averaging 21.0 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. He also formed a dynamic duo with Joel Embiid, who won the MVP award this year.
So why would Harden leave such a promising situation in Philadelphia? Perkins did not give any specific reasons for his prediction, but he may have some insider knowledge from his time as Harden’s teammate. Perkins and Harden played together for two seasons in Oklahoma City, reaching the NBA Finals in 2012 before Harden was traded to the Rockets.
Harden may also have some personal reasons to consider joining the Lakers. He is a native of Los Angeles and went to high school in nearby Lakewood, Calif. He may also be enticed by the opportunity to play with James and Davis, two of the best players in the league and proven champions.
How realistic is Kendrick Perkins’ prediction about James Harden?
While Perkins’ prediction may sound exciting for Lakers fans and intriguing for NBA fans in general, there are many hurdles that make it very unlikely to happen. The first and biggest one is money. Harden has a player option for the 2023-24 season worth $35.6 million, which he is expected to decline in order to become a free agent.
The Lakers already have about 40 percent of their cap space committed to James and Davis. Unless they can somehow trade or renounce other players like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, they will not have enough room to sign Harden to a max contract.
Then, there is the question of fit. While Harden is undoubtedly a talented player who can score and create for others, he is also known for being ball-dominant and iso-heavy. He may not mesh well with James and Davis, who also need the ball in their hands to be effective. The Lakers may also prefer to keep their defensive identity intact, which could be compromised by adding Harden, who is not known for his defense.
All in all, Perkins’ prediction for Harden seems more like a fantasy than a reality. While anything can happen in the NBA off-season, it is very unlikely that Harden will end up on the Lakers next season. He is more likely to stay with the 76ers or return to the Rockets than join forces with James and Davis.
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Ankush Singh
(616 Articles Published)