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Posted on: October 31, 2023, 10:35h.
Final up to date on: October 31, 2023, 10:55h.
A number of months of drama and hypothesis have ended, because the Los Angeles Clippers have acquired capturing guard James Harden in a commerce with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Along with Harden, the Clippers will add small ahead P.J. Tucker and energy ahead Filip Petrusev to the deal.
The 76ers will get two first-round picks (2026 protected and 2028 unprotected), two second-round picks (2024 and 2029), and a 2029 decide swap within the Harden commerce. The deal additionally entails the Clippers sending 4 position gamers to the 76ers, together with veteran forwards Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, and Ok.J. Martin.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder facilitated the commerce with a first-round decide swap involving the Clippers. The Clippers will ship a 2027 first-round decide to the Thunder, and the Thunder will ship a 2026 protected first-round decide to the 76ers.
Harden: Going Again to Cali
Harden, 34, triggered a participant possibility for the ultimate yr of his contract value $35.6 million. He opted in underneath the belief that the 76ers would commerce him.
When 76ers basic supervisor Daryl Morey couldn’t work out a commerce this summer time, an impatient Harden referred to as Morey a liar throughout an look at a basketball camp in China. Morey’s preliminary asking value for Harden was too excessive, and the Clippers balked. Different groups misplaced curiosity as a result of they didn’t wish to gamble on a one-season rental with no ensures that Harden will re-up with them subsequent season.
Harden grew up in Los Angeles and wished to return to his hometown and play for the Clippers. He joins former teammate level guard Russell Westbrook, swingman Paul George and ahead Kawhi Leonard. The 4 All-Stars will try and ship the Clippers their first championship in franchise historical past.
George, Harden, and Westbrook are among the many longest-tenured NBA stars who’ve by no means received a championship.
76ers Clear Cap House; Search a Guard
Now that Harden is gone, the 76ers can resume their quest for a championship underneath reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Regardless of commerce rumors to the New York Knicks, the 76ers will look so as to add a capturing guard to interchange Harden.
Harden had but to play this season for the 76ers, who’re 2-1 in three video games underneath new head coach Nick Nurse. Even with out Harden, the 76ers had a top-six offense that averaged 119 factors per recreation this season behind Embiid and level guard Tyrese Maxey.
Morey added position gamers and vital draft capital within the Harden commerce, which he may flip in one other commerce for a capturing guard.
“We may go (commerce Harden) for one thing the place we get sufficient draft picks and issues like that in a deal such that we will then flip these right into a participant who generally is a operating mate with Joel as nicely,” Morey mentioned within the preseason.
Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers has been the topic of commerce rumors, together with Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Path Blazers.
The 76ers cleared $13.4 million in luxurious tax, they usually’re now slightly below $5 million, in comparison with almost $20 million earlier than the Harden commerce.
If Morey doesn’t work out one other commerce for a high participant this season, he has the monetary flexibility so as to add a number of gamers subsequent season. The 76ers may clear anyplace between $50 million and $65 million in cap area subsequent season resulting from all of their expiring contracts.
NBA Futures Market After the Harden Commerce
Earlier than the commerce, each the Clippers and 76ers have been +1700 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship. After the commerce, the 76ers slipped to +1800, and the Clippers moved to +1200.
The 76ers are +800 odds to win the Jap Convention, and the Clippers improved to +700 odds to win the Western Convention after the Harden commerce.
The 76ers didn’t see any change of their divisional odds. The Celtics are nonetheless the favourite to win the Atlantic Division at -300, and the 76ers stay at +350 odds.
The Clippers noticed one other increase of their odds to win the Pacific Division. Earlier than the commerce, they have been +550 odds to win the division and fourth total on the board. After the commerce, the Clippers noticed an uptick to +400 and moved to second on the board. The Suns stay the favourite to win the Pacific Division at +135 odds.
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