Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris knows the franchise is going to have to pay both Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler max money in free agency this summer to keep the small forwards with the Sixers.
Tobias becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season ends. Butler has a player-option worth $19,841,627 for next season, but he is going to decline that and enter the open market because he can earn more money that way.
“We gave up a lot to get Tobias and Jimmy on our team,” Harris told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. “We think they're exceptional talents. We're going to try to keep them. We know we are going to have to pay these guys in an appropriate way.
“We get it. It's expensive.”
The Sixers acquired Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves in November and Tobias Harris from the LA Clippers at the February trade deadline. Philly now has four star players in its starting lineup in Harris, Butler, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
In 40 games with the Sixers, Butler is averaging 18.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists. The four-time All-Star is shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from the 3-point line.
Harris, meanwhile, has played in eight games with Philly and has been phenomenal so far. The swingman is putting up 21.9 points.
The Sixers are 40-22 on the season and have a great chance at winning the East.
Follow Us
Subscribe