James Harden helps Clippers' odds of winning 2024 NBA title
The Clippers just got a James Harden-sized NBA Finals odds boost.
Los Angeles, which had the eighth-best title odds at +2600, rose to fifth at +1300 at FanDuel Sportsbook
The Clippers trail an inner circle of title contenders – the Celtics, Bucks, Nuggets and Suns – who are all +600 or better to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The move leapfrogged the Clippers over the Warriors, Lakers and Cavaliers at FanDuel.
They also now have the third-best odds to come out of the Western Conference at +700 (BetMGM), trailing just Denver (+280) and Phoenix (+300).
The trade ends a months-long stalemate between Harden and 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
The 2017-18 NBA MVP opted into his $35.6-million deal and requested a trade in late June.
The months that followed were imbued with public infighting between Harden and Morey as the former looked to get out of Philadelphia.
Harden joins Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and ex-teammate Russell Westbrook in Los Angeles, his long-preferred destination, as he seeks his first career NBA title.
The Clippers are reportedly sending Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, and Kenyon Martin Jr. and draft picks back to the Sixers, who are also dealing P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev, per ESPN.
After finally ending the Harden saga, the 76ers’ championship improved slightly at DraftKings Sportsbook, going from +1900 to +1800, which are the eighth-best odds on the sportsbook’s board.
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Philadelphia is now armed with a treasure trove of draft picks and expiring contracts that Morey could use to pair talent with reigning MVP Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported Tuesday the team could target Bulls guard Zach LaVine or Raptors wing OG Anunoby in a trade now that Harden has been moved.
