For NBA fans, this week is the time everyone turns on their notifications on Twitter to get the latest trade news from Adrian Wojnarowski. This year, we were given an early present before the trade deadline on February 7th.
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers made a move to acquire Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers. The deal set the NBA world ablaze, with the Sixers adding a fantastic piece to their already talented roster.
The entire trade was Harris, Boban Marjanovic, and Mike Scott for Wilson Chandler, Landry Shamet, Mike Muscala, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. The move shows that the 76ers are going all in to make a run at the NBA Finals this season.
With the addition of Harris, the 76ers now possess the only roster in the NBA that boasts five starters who all average more than 17 points per game. A lineup of Ben Simmons, J.J. Redick, Jimmy Butler, Harris, and Joel Embiid is very lethal.
Can Harris make the 76ers the team to beat in the Eastern Conference? The answer is a resounding yes. If anyone has watched the Clippers this season, Harris was clearly the best player on that roster. Los Angeles is obviously gearing up for this summer by dealing Harris.
In 55 games with the Clippers, Harris averaged 20.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He also has shot the ball very well this season, shooting 49.6 percent from the field, 43.4 percent from three, and 87.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Before being shipped by the Clippers, Harris led the team in points and rebounds. The versatility that Harris brings can definitely benefit a team like the 76ers.
It's also heartening to see Harris and Boban stay together through the completion of this trade. The legend of Tobi and Bobi lives on.
The 76ers lacked a formidable power forward which caused them to pursue Harris. He can play either the small forward or power forward positions. With their current roster construction, Harris is expected to slot in at power forward.
With the departure of LeBron James this past offseason, the East became wide open. The Boston Celtics were expected to lead the pack with the Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, and 76ers trailing them.
That hasn't exactly been the case, as the Bucks, Raptors, and Celtics round out the top three teams in the East. The 76ers currently sit at fifth place behind the Indiana Pacers.
With the injury to Victor Oladipo, it's uncertain if the Pacers can sustain their success. An addition like Harris can propel the 76ers to a top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Consequently, the Raptors and Bucks also made moves at the trade deadline that improved their rosters. The Raptors landed Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Bucks acquired Nikola Mirotic from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Sorry Los Angeles Laker fans, Mirotic was the only Pelican on his way out. Undoubtedly, Harris is the biggest addition of any of the teams in the East.
With Harris capable of spreading the floor, the 76ers look like the most dangerous team in the East. When you have Simmons running the offense with guys like Redick, Butler, Harris, and Embiid, good luck stopping that.
The only thing stopping the 76ers is their inexperience in big games. We saw last year that they still need time to grow into a formidable contender.
In the playoffs, their offense became too predictable. As a result, the 76ers made modifications to their roster.
One of the only things that holds back the 76ers is Simmons' inability to shoot the ball. Adding Harris makes up for that—at least temporarily. This makes defenses stay honest to everyone who spaces the floor around Simmons.
With Harris spacing the floor, we will likely see Embiid get more opportunities in the post. Thus, making Embiid happy—who has said he doesn't like shooting threes before.
Adding Harris is a phenomenal move for the future as well. The 76ers are interested in keeping Harris long-term, as he is only 26 years old. If the 76ers are able to keep their starting lineup intact this summer, the East could be theirs going forward.
The 76ers are all in to reach the NBA Finals this season, as this move showed. A move like this can get them through the East, but can it take down the Golden State Warriors?
That will be something that we'll have to wait and see come to fruition. First, the 76ers need to make this move worth it and reach the Eastern Conference Finals—with a chance to play for the Larry O'Brien trophy.
With the 76ers getting Butler and Harris this year, it vastly improves their chances of winning it all. Furthermore, the trade for Harris could be the tipping point for Philly to reach their ultimate goal.
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