As the NBA season draws closer, the futures of a few of the game’s superstars, such as Damian Lillard, have been cemented.
However, there are many question marks surrounding the future team of James Harden.
DraftKings Sportsbook recently released odds for Harden’s next team, and the Los Angeles Clippers are currently the favorite to land “The Beard” at -210.
Harden’s current team, the Philadelphia 76ers, are second at +175, followed by the Miami Heat at +600.
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Given his offseason vow to never play under a Daryl-Morey led organization again, Harden’s destination has been a topic of conversation for months. Things reached a boiling point when during a promotional tour for Adidas in China, Harden was quoted calling Morey — the Sixers’ general manager — a “liar.”
Harden was also a no-show at 76ers media day on Monday, but arrived to the team’s training camp on Wednesday.
So who will Harden play for next season?
JAMES HARDEN NEXT TEAM ODDS*
Los Angeles Clippers: -210 (bet $10 to win $14.76 total)
Philadelphia 76ers: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Miami Heat: +600 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
New York Knicks: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Los Angeles Lakers: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Toronto Raptors: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Houston Rockets: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Chicago Bulls: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
New Orleans Pelicans: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310)
Phoenix Suns: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
*odds as of 10/4/2023
“The seeds of the breakup were planted last offseason. Harden and the Sixers agreed he would take a nearly $15 million pay cut for the benefit of the team. Some of that additional salary space was used to sign P.J. Tucker, who not only boasted some tools the Sixers lacked but also happened to be one of Harden’s closest friends.
“The mechanics of the move were simple. Harden declined his $47.4 million player option. He then signed a new two-year, $68.6 million deal, with that second year also an option. If he played well, he could sign another, more lucrative extension the following offseason with the Sixers. Or he could hit the open market. And if something went wrong — Harden was coming off yet another poor playoff performance — the player option, and the insurance it provided, carried some value.”
Harden was fantastic during last year’s regular season, leading the league in assists and help Joel Embiid capture his first NBA MVP award.
However, the playoffs were a bit rockier.
” … The Sixers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, with Harden shooting just 7-for-27 and scoring just 22 points combined in Games 6 and 7, both losses,” Weitzman outlined.
“Morey wanted Harden back, but not on a four-year, max deal, according to people familiar with the Sixers’ thinking. He and the organization as a whole agreed that such a deal could not be offered.”
So, where will Harden end up playing in 2023? Stay tuned to FOX Sports for all the latest on one of the top stories of the NBA offseason.
