Simmons For Harden? Today Is The Day To Find Out

Have you been betting on NBA favorites? They have been dominant against the spread this week 👀 — let’s talk NBA trade deadline 👇

This was written last night so if anything wild happened in while we were sleeping I apologize 😅

Trade Deadline Preview

With the trade deadline approaching later today (3PM EST), the noise around the NBA suggests that some of the biggest names on the block could end up in different jerseys real soon 🔁

Before addressing what could be, let’s talk about what already is. Here are the biggest deals to go down so far 🤯

• Domantas Sabonis for Tyrese Haliburton (full trade)

• CJ McCollum to the Pelicans (full trade)

• Caris LeVert to the Cavs (full trade)

• Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Clippers (full trade)

However, even bigger names have been linked to trade rumors. While most of these are unlikely, here are a few players teams have been calling about 📲

• James Harden

• Ben Simmons

• Jerami Grant

• Russell Westbrook

• Julius Randle

• John Wall

Trivia question: Who is the Nets’ all-time leading scorer? (answer below)

Daryl Morey’s Pipe Dream

After leaving the Rockets to become the GM of the Sixers, it seemed as though Daryl Morey had his heart set on a reunion with his old pal, James Harden. Ben Simmons’ decision to hold out for a trade at the beginning of season, partnered with Harden’s unhappiness in Brooklyn, has made the reunion appear possible 🧐

Despite James Harden metaphorically “screaming” for a trade (according to Brian Windhorst), Adrian Wojnarowski reported that “there’s no negotiation going on between Brooklyn and Philadelphia” on Mike Greenberg’s radio show

With a whole lotta noise surrounding what might happen, we’ll have to wait till this afternoon to see if two squads pull the trigger 👇

James Harden’s Next Team Projected Odds

• Nets: -650 (bet $650, win $100)

• 76ers: +650 (bet $100, win $650)

• Lakers: +2500

• The Field: +900

If Harden gets his reported wish, it seems like he’ll end up on the Sixers. Otherwise, there doesn’t seem to be a viable move that has him ending up elsewhere. Simmons’ next team odds matches that thinking 👇

Ben Simmons’ Next Team Projected Odds

• 76ers: -550

• Nets: +450

• Hawks: +1800

• Kings: +2200

• The Field: +600

While Simmons for Harden makes the most sense, Ben also has a chance to be rerouted elsewhere in a three-team trade, even if he is in fact the centerpiece of what the Sixers send out in a trade for Harden

Next Best Available

After the dramatic duo of Simmons and Harden, Jerami Grant remains the next-best available option. The Pistons seem to think that Grant is too old and expensive to be a part of their rebuild around Cade Cunningham, and could be best served by cashing him in for some draft capital before he becomes extension eligible this offseason 📋

Jerami Grant’s Next Team Projected Odds

• Pistons: -250

• Wizards: +450

• Kings: +800

• Hawks: +1250

• Trail Blazers: +1800

• The Field: +1400

Although they’re at the bottom of this list (odds not fully accurate), the Blazers might be the best-positioned team to make a move for Grant. By moving off of CJ, Powell, RoCo, and others, Portland got itself a first round pick to help match the Pistons’ reported asking price of multiple firsts

If I could place a bet on Grant’s home come this afternoon, my money would be on him moving to the Pacific Northwest to play with Damian Lillard 🤑

For My Parlay Gurus

Despite the chaos surrounding a number of teams active at the deadline, the show must go on. The Pistons and Nets could have players held out of games by the time they step on the court tonight, so my bet is on their opponents 👇

NBA Thursday Betting Lines

• Grizzlies -9.5 @ Pistons: -110

• Wizards -1.5 vs. Nets: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $264 — if we hit, make sure to email [email protected] for $100*. First come, first serve 😉

Trivia answer: Brook Lopez is the Nets’ all-time leading scorer. He leads Buck Williams by just four points, and holds a considerable lead over Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd (in that order)