An improving Tobias Harris could help the Sixers land James Harden

Tobias Harris has been via lots throughout his Sixers profession. From being a huge free-agent signing to being regarded as a contract burden, Harris hasn’t at all times had a enjoyable time in Philadelphia. Nevertheless, after an honest begin to the season, the previous Clipper is proving that it doesn’t matter what, the Sixers profit from him taking part in nicely in several methods. 

After the primary 4 video games of the season, it’s fairly clear that the offense nonetheless wants work. All good issues take time and with the workforce regularly setting into a brand new system below a brand new Head Coach, Tobias Harris is taking part in an especially vital function for the Sixers.

As we simply witnessed within the win towards the Raptors, when Tobias Harris is on high of his recreation, alongside nice performances from guys like Embiid and Seth Curry, the Sixers can overcome an overall poor display and still win games. On the night time, Harris went for 26 factors off 11/20 taking pictures, 11 rebounds and three assists, while additionally having 2 steals and a couple of blocks. One of those blocks was a game-saving contribution as he ran back and stopped Fred Vanvleet from scoring off a fast-break that might have a been a sure 2 factors for the Raptors. 

Harris has come under huge criticism for his performances as a Sixer and rightly so given the contract he was handed. Nevertheless, he’s began the season off nicely along with his worst recreation coming within the season opener towards Washington. If Harris manages to maintain these performances up, not solely will the workforce proceed to win video games, however he’ll add one other component of positivity to the workforce.

Like I beforehand talked about, there’s nonetheless work to be achieved offensively for the Sixers, the win towards the Raptors proved that. There’s obviously a fix out there for the Sixers and his name is James Harden. Harden has been linked to a transfer to Philly ever since the reports came out about him wanting a trade out of Houston, and it’s been nicely documented that the Sixers and Rockets have been in commerce talks with eachother, however these talks haven’t actually progressed.  

It’s additionally been nicely documented how the Sixers, irrespective of how nicely Harris finally ends up performing this season, would profit massively from shifting on from him, see what I’m getting at? While I don’t assume buying and selling Ben Simmons and some firsts for Harden is the perfect plan for the Sixers, it’s actually the one method to get James Harden to Philly, except Tobias Harris has a much-improved season and massively will increase his commerce worth. 

If Harris was to play nicely and enhance his commerce worth, the Sixers might then bundle collectively Harris, a couple of first-round picks, and some younger gamers and see if they could get Harden to Philly, somehow keeping Ben and Embiid. 

While that does sound fairly unlikely given the Rockets appear to be holding agency on their asking value for Harden, the Rockets haven’t actually obtained the leverage or energy on this negotiation to maintain demanding outlandish issues like they’re at the moment doing. Harris massively improving from last season might just tempt the Rockets to give up on Ben Simmons and take the picks, younger guys, and a stable plan B. 

Like I mentioned close to the start of this piece, Tobias Harris taking part in nicely advantages the Sixers it doesn’t matter what the plan is. He’s proven within the early video games that if he can contribute an honest quantity throughout video games, the Sixers are in a a lot better place to win video games.

Nevertheless, there’s additionally the additional advantage of continually elevating his commerce worth, as a result of let’s face it, there wasn’t a lot worth for groups to tackle Harris’ contract with the way in which he was performing final season. Harris’ enchancment can be a key factor to regulate throughout this season and as we head to the commerce deadline, for multiple motive. 

Photograph by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire