LOS ANGELES – Before the Los Angeles Clippers became a championship contender led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the organization had to make one of the toughest moves in recent history. Trading away forward Tobias Harris prior to the trade deadline for a team that had been shocking everyone all year wasn't easy.
“I kind of knew something was gonna happen a little bit prior to the trade. It’s part of it, it’s part of the game. I think the trade obviously worked out for both sides. I was able to find a home to be in and they were able to get who they wanted. So it worked out for both sides. No spoiled milk on either side.”
On Feb. 5, 2019, the Clippers sent Tobias Harris, an impending free agent, to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal with Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott. In exchange, the Clippers received Landry Shamet, a first-round pick, and Mike Muscala. Muscala turned into Ivica Zubac a few days later thanks to the genius of Magic Johnson, and the Clippers got two key rotation players as well as cap space heading into the summer.
“It was a tough night, whenever you trade a player,” Doc Rivers admitted to ClutchPoints. “Tobias is a great guy. Obviously he’s a hell of a player, but he’s one of those guys you love having on your team. You like seeing him every day. Bobi as well. That was a tough night for us. It was a good night, in the long run, it was the right thing to do, but those aren’t easy nights for coaches.”
The Clippers were 30-25 with Harris and 18-9 following the trades. They earned a playoff spot only to face the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors and compete admirably in the first round. Still, the Clippers essentially put all their eggs in one basket. That basket being landing Kawhi Leonard, and hopefully another star.
“You don’t see anything at that point because you don’t have anything,” Rivers added on thinking about the immediate impact of the trade. “You have a plan but you don’t know if the plan’s going to work. You just don’t know that, but it was worth it. We were willing to take the risk whether it worked or not. We thought it was the right decision.”
The trade probably worked out best for both teams. Philadelphia acquired a complementary star to play alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, while the Clippers got a couple of young players, draft picks to trade down the line, and cap space.
Tobias Harris is averaging 19.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season for the Sixers. It was, however, his single calendar year in Los Angeles that really helped put him on the map.
“I think Doc’s system helped me a whole lot. And the style of play and kind of the opportunity and timing of the team mindset. We had a good team of guys who can score, guys who can do different things. I would put a lot of that on Doc’s system and his style of play, really.”
Harris reflected back further on his brief but fun time in LA.
“Just coming over from the trade and being on a team with some great dudes, great guys, like last year. Kind of shocking a lot of people into how we came out in the season, playing with really good dudes, playing with guys like Lou, guys like Pat, Trez, so yeah it was a good time. Obviously, in my career, it's probably the first big-market team that I’ve played with so that was always a good experience to have.”
With championship aspirations on both sides, it's likely both teams will be over this game by Monday and back to competing for the top spot in their respective conferences.
Follow Us
Subscribe