The
Sixers have just become a huge title contender
The Sixers have just become a huge title contender
February
7, 2019
Just a few hours after Tobias Harris hit the
game-winner in Charlotte to lift his team over the Hornets, the Los
Angeles Clippers decided to trade him to the Philadelphia 76ers.According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and some new betting sites to
spice things up a notch, the Clippers sent Tobias
Harris, Boban Marjanovic, and Mike Scott in exchange for Landry Shamet,
Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, 2020 first-round pick, 2021 unprotected
first-round pick via Miami, and two second-round picks.
It was a rather surprising move by the Clippers who are the No. 8 seed
in the jumbled West one game ahead of the Kings and 2.5 games ahead of
the Lakers. Also, Tobias Harris will become a free agent this summer,
so the Clippers didn't clear any cap space in order to sign a
superstar, but they certainly made the 76ers a strong title contender.
The Sixers has lined up a big four in Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy
Butler, and Tobias Harris. With the experienced sharp-shooter J.J.
Redick at SG, their starting five is among the best in the league, no
doubt. Likewise, they got Mike Scott who' a reliable 3-point shooter
and a nice stretch four, while BobanMarjanovic can always get some
minutes in favorable matchups. And, the Sixers are ready to resign both
Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler this summer, as now they have enough cap
space to do it so.
Tobias Harris is playing the best season of his career, averaging 20.9
points per contest on 49.6% shooting from the field and 43.4% from
beyond the arc along with 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 dimes in 34.6 minutes on
the floor. He was arguably the best Clippers' player this season,
leading their playoff campaign, and Harris was a great fit into Doc
Rivers' system. Obviously, Harris is not a superstar, but he's a guy
who's ready to work hard for his team, and that's exactly what the
Sixers need at this point.
Philadelphia added Jimmy Butler via trade with Minnesota this season,
sending Dario Saric and Robert Covington in exchange for a four-time
All-Star. However, it caused a lot of problems at PF, as Mike Muscala
and Wilson Chandler just couldn't fill the void, so the Sixers had to
make a move to keep their title hopes alive. Acquiring Tobias Harris is
probably the best possible move the Sixers could make, and not, they
have enough time to pick up the pieces until the playoffs begin. Phila
is at the 5th spot in the East one game behind the Celtics and the
Pacers and 3.5 games behind the Raptors at the No. 2 seed.
Tobias Harris was happy in LA as his father and agent Torrel Harris
told: "Our experience with the Clippers organization was great. The
fans are amazing. We exceeded expectations and were in the playoff
picture all season. Tobias is having an All-Star season and his
experience in LA was great." However, with the Sixers, Tobias will have
a great opportunity to battle for the championship, and that's
something he's surely excited about.
