Sixers’ Championship Odds: Looking at where the team ranks post-Harden signing

Sixers
FILE – Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden gestures during the first half of Game 3 of the team’s NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, May 6, 2022, in Philadelphia. A person familiar with the situation said Harden chose not to exercise his $47.4 million option for next season and will become a free agent — but with no designs on leaving Philadelphia. Harden made the decision to allow the 76ers the flexibility they need to sign other players this summer, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side confirmed those plans publicly. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

The Sixers now have officially re-signed star James Harden at long last. Harden’s contract will pay him up to $68.6 million over two years, one fully guaranteed while the other is a player option for $35.8-6 million. With Harden now officially back in the City of Brotherly Love, now’s as good a time as any to check the updated odds of the team going all the way this season:

According to BetMGM, the Sixers are tied for the seventh-best odds in the NBA for the 2022-2023 season. The two other teams who, like the Sixers, sit with +1400 odds are the Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat. Both teams are highly expected to be competitive this season though the Brooklyn Nets are one of the more volatile teams in the league due to the Kevin Durant trade demand.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, is a team full of stars who are the happiest they’ve been yet with the team. Both Joel Embiid and James Harden seem, by all accounts, more than content after the team acquired veteran role players P.J. Tucker and Danuel House. These players will provide the Sixers with not just a chemistry boost but one on the court as well. Both House and Tucker have not only played with but thrived along with Harden before, and while Father Time inches closer and closer, the two are both set to contribute in a major way this season.

The addition of De’Anthony Melton has also been a major reason for hope in Philadelphia that the team may finally be able to get over the proverbial hump and win the first championship in 40 years.
When looking at some of the teams that rank higher than Philadelphia, teams like the Celtics, the Warriors, and the Bucks are all understandable, but then there are the two teams from Los Angeles that stick out. Neither squad made the playoffs last season, and though they both dealt with major injury, it won’t exactly be a cakewalk getting back to contention.

Considering the confusing love for LA, the Sixers’ odds look quite appealing at +1400. Now might be the time to lock in the hopeful team of destiny as the team could really take off once the season begins. If the Sixers prove themselves early, the worth is only going to go down, so locking in early, especially if you have a risk-free bet, could pay off in a huge way. With any of these offers below, you can join the action and take advantage of the dark horse Sixers or perhaps another candidate you believe in.