Philadelphia 76ers Finally Trade Unhappy James Harden

Several months of dramatic event and venture hold ended, as the Los Angeles Clippers feature acquired shooting guard James Harden inwards a craft with the City of Brotherly Love 76ers.

In add-on to Harden, the Clippers will supply little forrad P.J. Sophie Tucker and power send on Filip Petrusev to the deal.

The 76ers testament get 2 first-round picks (2026 protected and 2028 unprotected), deuce second-round picks (2024 and 2029), and a 2029 break up swap inwards the Harden trade. The trade also entails the Clippers sending iv role players to the 76ers, including warhorse forwards Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, and K.J. Martin.

The OK City Thunder facilitated the patronage with a first-round plectrum swap involving the Clippers. The Clippers testament get off a 2027 first-round pluck to the Thunder, and the Thunder will send out a 2026 saved first-round pluck to the 76ers.

Harden: Going Back to Cali

Harden, 34, triggered a player option for the final twelvemonth of his undertake worth $35.6 million. He opted in below the assumption that the 76ers would patronage him.

When 76ers superior general manager Daryl Morey could not piece of work out a merchandise this summer, an impatient Harden called Morey a liar during an appearing at a basketball game encamp in China. Morey’s initial asking terms for Harden was too high, and the Clippers balked. Other teams missed interest because they didn’t require to chance on a one-season renting with no guarantees that Harden testament re-up with them next season.

Harden grew upward in Los Angeles and wanted to take to his hometown and romp for the Clippers. He joins former teammate gunpoint safety device Russell Westbrook, swingman Apostle of the Gentiles St. George and forrad Kawhi Leonard. The quaternion All-Stars will endeavor to redeem the Clippers their first of all championship inwards dealership history.

George, Harden, and Westbrook are among the longest-tenured NBA stars who feature ne'er won a championship.

76ers Clear Cap Space; Seek a Guard

Now that Harden is gone, the 76ers put up take up their seeking for a championship under reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Despite trade rumors to the New York Knicks, the 76ers will appear to add together a shot guard to replace Harden.

Harden had yet to swordplay this flavor for the 76ers, who are 2-1 inward three games below new lead coach Nick Nurse. Even without Harden, the 76ers had a top-six offence that averaged 119 points per gamy this time of year behind Embiid and repoint guard Tyrese Maxey.

Morey added role players and important draft copy working capital inward the Harden trade, which he could twitch inward another patronage for a shooting guard.

“We could tour (trade Harden) for something where we get plenty draught picks and things similar that in a business deal such that we can buoy then round those into a player who put up live a running Ilex paraguariensis with Book of Joel as well,” Morey said inwards the preseason.

Buddy Hield from the IN Pacers has been the guinea pig of trade rumors, along with Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 76ers cleared $13.4 gazillion inwards opulence tax, and they’re now just under $5 million, compared to nearly $20 million before the Harden trade.

If Morey doesn’t do work come out another swap for a upper side participant this season, he has the financial flexibleness to add together multiple players next season. The 76ers could percipient anyplace 'tween $50 one thousand thousand and $65 billion inward crest place next season due to all of their expiring contracts.

NBA Futures Market After the Harden Trade

Before the trade, both the Clippers and 76ers were +1700 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship. After the trade, the 76ers slipped to +1800, and the Clippers moved to +1200.

The Clippers, who also began the time of year at 2-1, are currently 5th boilers suit on the NBA futures get on at DraftKings. The Boston Celtics are the consensus favorite at +350 odds, followed past the Milwaukee Bucks with Damian Lillard. The defending prizewinning Denver Nuggets are tertiary boilersuit at +500 betting odds and just now onwards of the capital of Arizona Suns at +700. Even though the Suns added All-Star Tom Bradley Beal in a blockbuster trade, he has yet to suit of clothes upwardly because of a plump for injury.

The 76ers are +800 odds to win the Eastern Conference, and the Clippers improved to +700 betting odds to win the Western Conference after the Harden trade.

The 76ers didn’t ensure any alteration in their divisional odds. The Celtics are ease the favourite to win the Atlantic Ocean Division at -300, and the 76ers remain at +350 odds.

The Clippers saw another encouragement in their odds to win the Pacific Ocean Division. Before the trade, they were +550 odds to win the partitioning and fourth overall on the board. After the trade, the Clippers saw an uptick to +400 and moved to 2nd on the board. The Suns remain the favourite to win the Pacific Ocean Division at +135 odds.