2024 NBA Finals odds: How James Harden trade affects Clippers, Sixers in betting market

After an offseason of speculation and public feuding, the Philadelphia 76ers have fulfilled former MVP James Harden's trade request, sending him to the Los Angeles Clippers. And with the massive, overnight trade came some significant line movement in NBA champion odds.

Early Tuesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Clippers and 76ers had agreed to the deal sending Harden back to the Western Conference along with P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev.

In return, the Sixers received Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr., a 2028 unprotected first-round draft pick, two second-round picks and rights to a first-round pick swap in 2029, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports. In addition, Philadelphia will get a 2026 first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Thunder will receive a 2027 first-round pick from the Clippers.

Here's how the blockbuster trade shakes out on the betting market.

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How does the James Harden trade affect NBA Finals odds?

As expected, the Clippers-76ers trade has already caused some line movement among the two teams' chances to win the NBA Finals in 2024, per BetMGM.

In trading for Harden, the Clippers have improved their odds to win the championship significantly, now with the fifth best odds to win a title in 2024. They trail only the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns.

Despite a hefty return of players (and picks), the 76ers' odds have dropped slightly. They slide behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (+2500) in odds to win the championship.

All other teams' odds to win the title were "relatively unchanged," a representative from BetMGM told USA TODAY.

Los Angeles' acquisition of Harden reunites him with Russell Westbrook, his former teammate from their days with the Thunder (2009-2012) and the Houston Rockets (2019-2020). The trade is the Clippers' latest move to try to push for a championship with stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George already on the roster.

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When do the Clippers play the 76ers this season?

The Clippers will host the 76ers on March 24, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Harden will make his return to Philadelphia as a member of the Clippers on March 27, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 NBA Finals odds: James Harden trade affects Clippers, Sixers