James Harden’s blockbuster commerce to the LA Clippers has altered the NBA panorama, in addition to the championship odds.
The commerce sends Harden — together with P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev — to the Clippers and returns vital property to the Philadelphia 76ers, together with Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, the Clippers’ 2026 protected first-round decide (by way of OKC), the Clippers’ 2028 unprotected first-round decide, together with a 2024 second-round decide (by way of LAC) and a 2029 second-round decide (by way of LAC).
Nonetheless, regardless of the large haul for Philly, it is the Clippers that oddsmakers consider have inched nearer to an NBA title on Tuesday.
Because of the swap, the Clippers’ odds of profitable the NBA finals have shortened from +2200 to +1300 (wager $10 to win $140). They now have the fifth-shortest odds to win the title behind the Celtics (+370), Bucks (+410), Nuggets (+500) and Suns (+600).
Harden, 34, is a 10-time All-Star, six-time first-team All-NBA choice and gained league MVP in 2018. He is led the league in scoring thrice (2018-2020) and led it in assists twice, together with final season (2017, 2023).Â
Nevertheless, over the previous few seasons, Harden has turn out to be higher recognized for his commerce requests than his spectacular accolades, asking for trades out of Houston, Brooklyn and now, Philly.Â
Due to that status, Skip Bayless mentioned Tuesday on “Undisputed” that he believes Harden will quickly sufficient need out of Los Angeles as properly, including in the truth that Harden performs the identical place as Clippers present level guard and future Corridor of Famer Russell Westbrook.
“In honor of Halloween, the Clippers simply fell into the worst nightmare they’ve ever been in. … He is now on his fourth group in 22 months. He has stop his manner out of three groups and I don’t doubt that in some unspecified time in the future pretty quickly he’ll stop his manner even out of his residence space. Now [Clippers head coach] Ty Lue has these two greatest complications within the NBA in the identical backcourt enjoying the identical place. … I do not know the way it’s gonna work.”
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