RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 March 2023

• Joel Embiid, Domantas Sabonis Named NBA's Players Of The Week For 2nd Straight Week

  Joel Embiid and Domantas Sabonis have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for the second straight week.

  Embiid averaged 35.0 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks as the Philadelphia 76ers went 3-0.

  Sabonis averaged 22.8 points, 16.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists as the Sacramento Kings went 3-0.

• Joel Embiid Becomes Odds-On Favorite To Win NBA MVP

  Joel Embiid has moved from a 2-1 underdog to an odds-on favorite to be NBA Most Valuable Player this season.

  The odds began to shift on Tuesday when the Brooklyn Nets beat the Denver Nuggets.

  By Thursday, Jokic and Embiid were co-favorites at Caesars, but Embiid is the outright favorite at other sportsbooks such as DraftKings and PointsBet.

  Over the past week at Caesars Sportsbook, 85% of the bets and 79% of the money wagered on the MVP market has been on Embiid.
• Domantas Sabonis, Joel Embiid Named NBA's Players Of The Week

  Domantas Sabonis and Joel Embiid have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 21.

  Sabonis averaged 20. points, 10.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists as the Sacramento Kings went 3-0.

  Embiid averaged 38.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks as the Philadelphia 76ers went 4-0.

• Mac McClung Named G League Player Of The Week

  Mac McClung has been named NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Monday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 5.

  The 2023 Slam Dunk champion averaged 28.7 points, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals in three games for the Delaware Blue Coats (3-0).

  McClung is on a Two-Way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

• Joel Embiid Misses Sixers Win With Left Foot Soreness

  Joel Embiid missed the Philadelphia 76ers' 119-96 win over the Miami Heat due to left foot soreness.

  Embiid was ruled out 30 minutes before the game.

  Embiid has now missed 13 games this season, with the Sixers going 9-4 in those games.

• James Harden, Rockets Serious About Reunion; Sixers Currently 'Unconcerned'

  The Houston Rockets are expected to pursue James Harden if he declines his player option for the 23-24 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, which is considered very likely.

  Sources tell Kelly Iko and Sam Amick of The Athletic that Harden is as serious about a possible return to the Rockets as he was when he first left the franchise.

  When the Rockets traded Harden, Tilman Fertitta told him he would always be welcome back to the team. Harden made it clear the feeling was mutual and there were strong indications he could be back in the summer of 2023. There were no promises made that day from either side even if the possibility was tangible.

  Sources say his relationship with Tilman Fertitta and his son, Patrick Fertitta, remains strong. Harden spent a considerable amount of time working out with the Rockets' young players during the offseason. Sources say the Rockets are confident they'll at least land a meeting with Harden.

  A high-ranking Sixers source with knowledge of the team's operation tells The Athletic they are "unconcerned" about possibly losing Harden this offseason considering they can offer him a chance to contend for a title and also maximize his earning potential.

  The Sixers can offer up to $272 million over five years compared to four-year, $201 million offers for rival teams with max cap space.

  "Everything in this league is leverage," one source close to Harden said. "But that doesn't mean he won't go to Houston."

• James Harden Returning To Rockets 'A Very Real Possibility'

  James Harden can become a free agent again this offseason and his market is expected to extend beyond the Philadelphia 76ers to the Houston Rockets. While the Rockets have been a rebuild mode since trading Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021, there appears to be serious mutual interest between the parties dating back to a report on Christmas Day from Adrian Wojnarowski.

  "I also believe the Harden situation is one of the more under talked about things with what's going on in the season here," said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. "We are always guilty of looking ahead. And there has been very little discussion about Harden. Probably because Philly has played generally really well for the last two months.

  "Christmas Day, Woj comes out with that story that Houston wants to go over Harden and it was like 'Whoa.'

  "Not just that Houston wants to, but Houston believes it is a legitimate possibility and that's not coming out of thin air," said Tim MacMahon. "James Harden still spends a lot of time in Houston. Spends his summers in Houston. Works out at the Rockets' facility on a regular basis. It's a very real possibility. And Harden, by the way, never shot it down. He just said 'I don't know where that came from.'"

  "It was kind of a non-denial," added Windhorst. "And that [storyline has] just gone way."

  Harden took a one-plus-one deal with the Sixers as a free agent last offseason worth $68.6 million. Harden took a $15 million discount in order to help the Sixers add P.J. Tucker and Danuel House.

  While Harden and the Rockets may have serious interest in reuniting, it could also be Harden attempting to increase his chances of signing a lucrative contract with the Sixers. Harden recently hired Troy Payne as his agent.

  "It's also a leverage point," said Windhorst.

• Kevin Love Agrees To Sign With Heat

  Kevin Love plans to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers.

  Lowe believes he can play a sizable role in the frontcourt rotation of the Heat. Love also discussed joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

  Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to a buyout on Saturday. Love had $8.5 million remaining on his contract. Love requested a buyout after he fell out of Cleveland's rotation.

• Kevin Love Agrees To Buyout With Cavs; Will Meet With Heat, Sixers

  Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers have completed a buyout agreement, reports Adrian Wojnarowski.

  The Miami Heat are the favorites to sign Love once he clears waivers, reports Shams Charania.

  Love will also meet with the Philadelphia 76ers before making a final decision. Love has been with the Cavaliers since the 2014 season, but had recently fallen out of their rotation.

  Love was in the final season of a four-year extension he signed with the Cavaliers in 2018. Love had $8.5 million remaining on his contract.

• Joel Embiid 'Not Sure' On Playing All-Star Game Due To Left Foot Soreness

  Joel Embiid said he wasn't sure whether he would participate in this weekend's All-Star Game due to left foot soreness.

  "I'm not sure. I'm not healthy. I haven't been healthy for the past three weeks, or month. I was just trying to get to the All-Star break without missing games and stuff.

  "But I feel like I've reached the point where I need to follow the doctor's advice... back then he said I should have been sitting for two weeks, so we'll see how the next few days go, and go from there," said Embiid after getting 29 points and 14 rebounds in a win over the Cavs on Wednesday night.

  Embiid was questionable against the Cavs with the injury.

  Embiid added that his focus was on winning a title.

  "Like I said, the focus is on winning, especially getting ready for the second half of the season and the playoffs. I'm focused on winning a championship. If that helps me get there healthy, then that's what I'm going to do. I'm just going to see how it goes."