Ex-James Harden teammate makes prediction about his future

There are a lot of reasons to doubt Perkins’ pick for Harden however. The Lakers already have roughly 40% of their cap for next year committed to the LeBron James-Anthony Davis duo. 

Harden also took a pay cut from the Philadelphia 76ers last season and probably won’t be willing to do so again as he nears 34 years old. Unless the Lakers are willing to send back Austin Reaves (whom they really want to keep) in a sign-and-trade AND renounce other free agents like D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, a Harden signing feels very unrealistic.

Perkins is known for blowing hot air on television (sometimes literally so). But he does have a direct connection with Harden, having played with him on the Oklahoma City Thunder for two seasons from 2011-12. Harden is also a Southern California native — he was born in Los Angeles and went to high school in nearby Lakewood.

Still, the most likely options at this point for Harden’s free agency seem to be a re-upping with the 76ers or a return to his former team, the Houston Rockets. The Lakers might be better off pursuing this older ex-Harden co-star instead.