The Sixers acquired several talented players ahead of this year's trade deadline, including Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott. Some experts and analysts are wondering if this group will be able to stick together beyond this season, but general manager Elton Brand is confident in the team's ability to re-sign their new stars.
Brand recently spoke with ESPN's Tim Bontemps about the ideas he has for Philly's future. During their discussion, Brand noted that he has received “all assurances” from the team's managing partners that the Sixers can re-sign both Harris and Butler.
“We're all on board to keep this core together long-term,” Brand told Bontemps. “We expect to keep this core together.”
The Sixers acquired Butler in November as part of a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It didn't take long for the 29-year-old to show his value.
In his debut with Philly (a 111-106 loss to the Orlando Magic), Butler was only able to muster 14 points. However, just a few days later, he dropped 34 points and 12 rebounds in a 127–125 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. And in December, he recorded two consecutive 38-point games.
In 32 appearances with the Sixers thus far, Butler has racked up averages of 18.9 points on 47.9 percent shooting from the field (36.6 percent from beyond the arc), 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 32.6 minutes per outing.
Harris, 26, is another solid addition for the Sixers. The former 19th overall pick has developed into a fine shooter from the perimeter. In fact, he's shooting the 3-ball at a 43.4 percent clip this season, which currently ranks eighth in the NBA.
Harris made 55 appearances with the Clippers before joining the Sixers, posting averages of 20.9 points on 49.6 percent shooting, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 34.6 minutes per outing.
Acquiring key players on expiring contracts in a bid to win now is a risky venture, but Harris feels that the Sixers are ready to make a push now:
“Obviously they invested a lot in all three of us,” Harris said during his introductory press conference. “When we talk about what things go into a player’s decision, loyalty is one of them. It was a big move and it was a win-now move, and a win-big move, now. I think all of us can say that means a lot. This is already a winning culture. We just look to bring our games to it and help the best way we can.”
The Sixers (34-20 and third in the Atlantic Division standings) will be back in action on Friday night, when they'll serve as hosts to the Denver Nuggets.
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