Getty Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Philadelphia 76ers have some decisions to make this summer, including what to do with Tobias Harris and his $39.3 million contract, which expires next summer. Adam Aaronson of the 76ers-themed podcast “The Rights to Ricky Sanchez” listed a number of teams that could potentially go after Harris this offseason and whom the Sixers could get in exchange for him.
Aaronson named the Charlotte Hornets as a possible suitor and Terry Rozier as a possible trade option.
“The Charlotte Hornets jump out to me as well,” Aaronson said on the May 24 episode. “The Hornets … have former Sixers killer Terry Rozier, though he has three more years remaining on a deal that isn’t exactly cheap either.”
Rozier was labeled a “Sixers killer” most notably for his performance as a member of the Boston Celtics in the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals. In that series, won by the Celtics in five games, Rozier averaged 19 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field and 41.5% from three.
Rozier, who has not been back to the playoffs since getting traded to the Hornets in July 2019, has three years left on his current contract, which includes a team option for $26.6 million for the 2025-26 season.
Tobias Harris Floated in Possible Clippers Trade
In a Bleacher Report column on “ambitious” trade targets for each team, Dan Favale suggested the Sixers try to deal Harris for Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, though Favale acknowledged the difficulty in making a one-for-one trade with the two players.
“Nicolas Batum might even be too ambitious,” Favale wrote in the May 20 story. Seriously. His role diminished with the L.A. Clippers around the trade deadline, suggesting his offensive and defensive connectivity is gettable. Philly needs bench depth and versatility. But it’s not teeming with middle-salaried assets who match Batum’s $11.7 million pay grade.”
For that reason, Favale included multiple Sixers players.
“Convincing the Clippers — or a third team — to soak up the final year and $39.3 million on Tobias Harris’ contract is the way to go. L.A. could be looking to cut its tax bill by offloading expiring deals for Robert Covington and Marcus Morris Sr. And Norman Powell’s contract (three years, $57.7 million) is steep enough that the Clippers might prefer pivoting to shorter-term commitments in advance of a more punitive collective bargaining agreement.”
Harris played for the Clippers during 2018 and 2019 before being traded to the Sixers at the 2019 trade deadline.
Seth Curry Floated as Possible Sixers’ Free Agent Target
As far as free agents the Sixers could chase in the offseason, Rich Hofmann of The Athletic named ex-Sixers guard Seth Curry as a possibility if the price is right.
“If he’s gettable at a cheaper price, Seth Curry is someone who the Sixers also could look to bring back as a bench option. We know he’s capable of running pick-and-rolls with Embiid,” Hofmann wrote in a May 26 story.
Curry was on the Sixers from 2020 to 2022 before he was included in the trade to the Brooklyn Nets that netted James Harden. Curry is a career 43.5% shooter from 3-point land, which could make him appealing if Georges Niang leaves in free agency this summer.