Philadelphia Ending Trade Talks for Harden
We got all your latest breaking sports news and the associated odds.
Philadelphia Ending Trade Talks for Harden (August 12, 2023)
The Philadelphia 76ers have ended trade talks involving 10-time All-Star guard James Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for the start of the season.
Oddsmakers throughout the last year were offering odds on where Harden will play next. As recently as last month, BetOnline had a Harden trade to the Knicks paying out $400 for every $100 bet.
Philadelphia believes it will be a championship contender with Harden's return alongside MVP center Joel Embiid. Harden, however, remains unhappy with Sixers president Daryl Morey over the lack of a long-term maximum-level contract offer.
Celtics Brown Lands Richest Deal in NBA History (July 25, 2023)
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to sign the richest deal in NBA history -- a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension, his agent, Jason Glushon, told ESPN on Tuesday.
Brown and Glushon met with Celtics management and ownership Sunday evening in Boston, finalizing the remaining elements of the historic deal that keeps the two-time All-Star under contract through the 2028-29 season.
Brown is slated to making $52.3 million when the contract kicks in during the 2024-25 season and $69.1 million in 2028-29, the final year of the deal.
Lebron Staying With the Lakers (July 12, 2023)
Lebron James said at the ESPYs Wednesday night he will not be retiring and plans to continue playing with the LA Lakers.
The four-time league MVP, who turns 39 the end of this year, had hinted at a possible retirement after the Lakers were swept in the Western Conference finals.
Bookies believed otherwise. BetOnline had him retiring at 1-10 on the NO.
They also had him playing next season at either the Knicks or the 76ers, co-favorites at 3-1.
“Can I give everything to the game still? The truth is, I’ve been asking myself this question at the end of the season for a couple years now, I just never openly talked about it,” James said during his acceptance speech at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “I don’t care how many more points I score. Or what I can or can not do on the floor. The real question for me is, ‘Can I play without cheating the game?’
“The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Luckily for you guys, today is not that day.”
Britney Spears Husband Weighs in on Slap by Wembanyama Security: 'I Consider My Actions Subdued' (July 7, 2023)
Britney Spears‘ husband Sam Asghari has now weighed in on the July 5 incident that took place in Vegas whereby Britney was allegedly slapped in the face by a member of the security team for San Antonio Spurs big star Victor Wembanyama.
On his Instagram Story, Asghari wrote, “I am opposed to violence in any form, especially without justification in the defense of yourself or someone else who is unable to defend themselves. Self-defense can be unavoidable, but the defense of any woman, especially my wife, is not debatable.”
“I consider my reaction subdued considering what occurred, and I hope the man in question learns a lesson and changes his disregard for women,” he continued. “Thank you for your support.”
He then added, “Celebrities are only celebrities because of people and fans. [Britney] has never in her 25 years of true superstardom treated anyone with disrespect.”
Wembanyama spoke out later that his security advised him "to keep moving" and that he had no idea the woman who approached him was Spears.
The "I'm a Slave for You" singer said she only tapped his shoulder. The security guard who allegedly assaulted her insisted it was a grab.
Next celebrity to be slapped odds anybody?
Britney Spears Assaulted by Victor Wembanyama Security While Trying to Take Pic With Him in Vegas (July 6, 2023)
It's Britney Bitch!
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the man listed on the police report as the one who slapped Britney Spears is Damian Smith, the Director of Team Security for the Spurs.
"Our sources say it is not being handled as a criminal matter, because cops determined Smith was not trying to hurt Britney but rather defend Victor Wembanyama."
"Britney and co. walked over to Catch, and as they were entering the restaurant, Britney spotted Victor. We're told she's a fan and went over to him to ask if they could take a photo together. She tapped him on his back, right shoulder and, we're told the Director of Team Security for the San Antonio Spurs -- the team that drafted Victor last month -- instantly backhanded her, causing her to fall to the ground ... knocking her glasses off."
The security guard apparently went over to Britney's table later on to apologize and admitted he did not know who she was at the time she approached and he was attempting to protect Victor.
Nets Want to Involve Ben Simmons in Heat Trade Negotiations for Lillard (July 4, 2023)
According to Heat insider Greg Sylvander of Five Reasons Sports, the Brooklyn Nets want to get involved in a potential three-team trade that helps the Heat get Damian Lillard by making Ben Simmons part of this deal:
“As Dame to Miami deal continues to be worked on, I’m told at least one challenge in negotiations has been the fact BKN wants to ship out Ben Simmons as part of this deal. The sticking point being that no team is particularly interested in taking him so far, per source.”
Such a trade for Lillard is no easy task. The 32-year-old is due $45.7 million this coming season.
Ira Linderman of the Sun-Sentinel writes:
"A priority in the process for the Nets could be offloading the final two years on the contract of the seldom-playing Simmons, who has appeared in only 42 games over the past two seasons, due $37.9 million next season and $40.3 million on 2024-25.
"It is highly unlikely that Simmons winds up with the Heat, but he could become part of Lillard trade calculus."
Questions About Tyler Herro Future in Miami (July 2, 2023)
Tyler Herro has removed “Miami Heat guard” from his bio and changed his header.
This comes as Damian Lillard is widely expected to land in Miami after requesting a trade from Portland.
Per The Athletic, Lillard "wants to compete with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, to grow inside that famed 'Heat culture' system under Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra while becoming the final piece to their championship puzzle.”
Herro is most likely to be the piece of the puzzle that can help with the Lillard move.
But Herro is probably not going to end up with the Trailblazers.
From SI.com:
With Portland’s overall direction, cap situation, and depth at guard, Herro’s fit within their roster is fuzzy and unappealing. Any trade involving him would seemingly have him re-routed elsewhere, given that the deal extends more than two teams.
Tyler Herro next team odds anticipated at BetOnline here.
Damian Lillard Next Team Odds as He Wants Out of Portland (July 1, 2023)
After 11 years in Portland, Damian Lilliard has requested a trade from the Trailblazers, it was being reported on Saturday by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.
The Miami Heat, LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers are three teams that will have interest in exploring trades for Lillard, sources told ESPN.
Indeed, the Heat promised a payout of $400 for every $100 bet. Philadelphia pays $750. LA was part of the Field option paying $950.
From ESPN:
Lillard had contemplated requesting a trade when he met with the Blazers and general manager Joe Cronin on Monday, but wanted to give them every opportunity to improve the roster as free agency opened so he remained as quiet and supportive as he could this week, sources said. On Friday night he made the decision to ask for a trade.
Lillard enjoyed a career year last season, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists, but played just 58 games as he sat out the last month
Brook Lopez Signs With the Rockets, Out of Milwaukee
(June 30, 2023 7:28 pm ET) - The Houston Rockets have signed Center Brook Lopez to a 2 year, $40 Million dollar contract. His former team the Milwaukee Bucks were unable to match, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Rockets had the 5th worst odds ahead of this news while Milwaukee was listed at 6-1, 4th best.
Kyrie Irving to the Mavs
(June 30, 2023 7:28 pm ET) - Kyrie Irving has signed a three-year, $126 million deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources told ESPN's Tim MacMahon on Friday.
Irving, 31, an eight-time All-Star, is widely considered to be one of the most skilled guards to ever play the game. He has career averages of 23.4 points and 5.7 assists, including 27.1 points and 5.5 assists per game last season for the Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks.
The Mavs were listed at 25-1 to win the 2024 NBA Championship.
Draymond Green, Warriors Agree on 4-year, $100M Deal
(June 30, 2023 7:28 pm ET) - Free agent forward Draymond Green has agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract with a player option in the final season to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN's Andscape on Friday.
Green, 33, has played his entire 11-year career with the Warriors since being drafted with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft.
"I've been here 11 years, you don't just up and change that," Green told Andscape after the Warriors' season ended after a 122-101 Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on May 12. "The guys that I started with are still here. Of course, I'd love to be here, but I do understand that this is a business.'"
Odds to Win the 2023 NBA Championship
(June 30, 2023 7:28 pn ET)
Rot 2024 NBA Championship Winner Moneyline
1001 Boston Celtics +500
1002 Denver Nuggets +500
1003 Milwaukee Bucks +750
1004 Phoenix Suns +700
1005 Los Angeles Lakers +1200
1006 Golden State Warriors +1200
1007 Miami Heat +1400
1008 Los Angeles Clippers +1800
1009 Philadelphia 76ers +1800
1010 Memphis Grizzlies +2500
1011 Dallas Mavericks +2500
1012 Cleveland Cavaliers +2500
1013 New Orleans Pelicans +3000
1014 Sacramento Kings +4000
1015 New York Knicks +5000
1016 Oklahoma City Thunder +7000
1017 Minnesota Timberwolves +7000
1018 Brooklyn Nets +8000
1019 Atlanta Hawks +8000
1020 Toronto Raptors +8000
1021 Portland Trail Blazers +15000
1022 Chicago Bulls +15000
1023 Houston Rockets +25000
1024 Orlando Magic +25000
1025 Washington Wizards +25000
1026 Indiana Pacers +25000
1027 Utah Jazz +25000
1028 San Antonio Spurs +25000
1029 Charlotte Hornets +50000
1030 Detroit Pistons +50000
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911,com
