NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves at a crossroads of sorts with 2 players. While James Harden is a big one, the other concern is Tobias Harris. What will the 76ers do with their SF?
While the front office seeks a trade partner for Harden, they me be wise to look for one that involves Harris as well. Another season with Harris breaking the bank is not a good one. A player who averages 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds is in no way worth $39.2M next season. So what will they do with his contract?
There are two teams that could save the 76ers and at the same time, make them a favorite in the Eastern Conference. The Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs both have the cap space to take on Harris’ contact without giving any players up.
For those wondering why the 76ers would give Harris away for free, it’s pretty simple. With the Rockets and Spurs taking on that contact, the 76ers would get a TPE (Traded Player Exception) for $39M. With that, they can now hit the free agent market and fill in the necessary holes.
Will The Philadelphia 76ers Trade Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris is no scrub. He has put up numbers throughout his career and despite what Philly fans say, Harris is a vital part of the team’s success and failures over the last few seasons.
Now, with that money available, they could go find a suitable SF and PF who fits into their scheme. With the addition of Harden and the emergence of Tyrese Maxey, Harris’ production took a dip. While that part is on Doc Rivers and the front office, Harris has to own up to his role.
He’s no longer a fit in Philly. The reason this will work out with Houston is that they’re in the market for a veteran and Harris would be just that plus he’s just 31 and with the right scheme, he could very easily get back to 20+ points per night. In Philly, he was the 4th option and still averaged 15 points per game.
It’s the same with the Spurs. After drafting Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs must find the right pieces to place around the new face of their franchise and there is no way they can depend on more rookies. Harris will be a great addition.
As the Rockets and Spurs look to rebuild, they may have the money but what top-tier free agents are really giving them a serious look besides Fred VanVFleet who wanted to secure the bag with his new deal? They’re nowhere ready to contend and with the parity in the NBA now, teams stuck in the middle of the pack can become a contender with the right offseason or trade deadline move.
Tobias Harris is not done. In all fairness, what he needs is a change of scenery. Despite some success in Philly, it’s clear that the Philly fans are getting into his head. Harris is not one to sound out but this week, he did provide some shots to some of the 76ers’ faithful.
When this starts to happen, it’s time for both parties to move in. The question is, are the Philadelphia 76ers serious about winning or are they content with being average?
