NBA Trade Ideas: Should Orlando Magic Acquire Superstar James Harden?

The Orlando Magic have some of the best young talent in the league, but should they stick with them, or use them to make a big move?

James Harden has been a big question mark this offseason, as he expected the Philadelphia 76ers to trade him. Many trade package ideas have been made for the ten time all-star, including one that sees the Orlando Magic making its biggest move in years.

In a trade proposed by Bleacher Report, the Magic would send Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and a 2025 first-round pick to the 76ers for James Harden.

This would lead to the Magic taking a big hit in its bench depth, but chances are that the trade would have just as much good as bad. One of those good things would be having a veteran presence like Harden on a very young Magic team.

May 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) shoots against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

In addition, the Magic was a bottom-third team in 3-pointers made, 3-point percentage, and average assists last season, all things that Harden could help astronomically with. Coming off of 10.7 assists per game this past season, Harden has really leaned into the passing aspect of his game as he has grown older, and that could help the Magic in its search for a consistent playmaker.

Perhaps the biggest impact that bringing in a threat like Harden would have would be that he would distract opposing teams from other players on the Magic. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are the main guys that teams keyed in on last season, and having a presence as big as Harden would keep teams from doing that.

The Magic would be giving up a fair amount for Harden, and there would be a big question about whether it would be worth it or not. Even with Harden being so adamant about switching teams this offseason, he is still on the 76ers with roughly two weeks to go until the start of the season, so he may remain a question mark until the trade deadline.