Though starting Sixers power forward Tobias Harris may want an extension from Philadelphia, it would behoove the team to keep him on his current deal to maximize its flexibility, Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com opines in a new mailbag. Harris will be a free agent in the summer of 2024.
Neubeck notes that moving on from Harris for a better player would probably necessitate also including the rookie scale contract of impressive shooting guard Tyrese Maxey. Neubeck opines that the team should hold off on an extension unless it comes at a discount.
Elsewhere in the mailbag, Neubeck also discusses the possibility of the Sixers having a quiet trade deadline as they start to gel, closing lineups, and more.
There’s more out of the City of Brotherly Love:
- All-NBA center Joel Embiid will be shelved for the Sixers’ next game, Friday against the Bulls, due to left foot soreness, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Pompey notes that this will mark Embiid’s second straight absence with the ailment.
- Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers recently explained his decision to prioritize playing swingman Matisse Thybulle over Danuel House for the Sixers, Pompey writes in a recent article. “I just think Matisse is playing terrific defense,” Rivers said. “And it’s really helped us. He’s staying aggressive… overall, he’s been fantastic for us.”
- Following a rocky start to their 2022/23 season, the Sixers have been coming on strong of late. The team currently boasts a 23-14 record this year, and is just 2.5 games behind the Celtics for the Eastern Conference’s top seed. But another year of regular season achievement is no longer the end game. The goal now must be making it beyond the second round of the playoffs, Pompey opines in a separate piece. Philadelphia’s opening night starting five of James Harden, Maxey, Harris, P.J. Tucker and Embiid has only been fully available eight times thus far, as Pompey notes. Whenever Embiid returns, Pompey believes the club will be able to fully assess its roster needs ahead of the February 9 trade deadline.
Embiid is going to get his come playoff time, I think the real difference maker for the 76ers will be whether or not Maxey can come up big for them on a game by game basis.
If so, I can see the 76ers fairly easily getting past the first round, and if Maxey can continue taking another step forward in his game, they could give either the Celtics or the Bucks a real run..
I think they will ultimately lose out to both teams, but the 76ers can definitely make it a series. Also, them potentially beating either team would not be all that far-fetched nor out of the realm of possibilities, but Maxey and their roles players would have to step up their games a level or two.
Unless Nets and Cavs make a good trade,
I also see the 76ers are able to defeat Cavs or Nets in the first round playoffs, but they won’t beat Bucks or Celtics in the 2nd round.
4 free agents this summer,
Harden – 30 million luxury tax if not pay cut
Thybulle -luxury tax
Milton – luxury tax
Niang – luxury tax
Should they trade all 4 free agents now?
Should they give Maxey contract extension?
Harris is a solid 2 way role player, true, but with a contract that pays him 39 mm next year. That can’t be changed (not an option), so any extension would need to start in year 2024-25. Really under discussion?
No way Harris gets MORE money. Overpaid already.
Rest up big Fella. we’re gonna need u energized and ready to go come playoff time.
I’d resign Tobias.
He’s owed 37 mil for this year and then another 39 for next.
Considering he’s currently 30 years old if we weren’t to extend him he’d be going off contract at 32.
So with that in mind I’d tell him to reduce next seasons salary to 29, push to 10mil over a season and throw him another 15mil and then the following season 20mil.
So end of this season, on the following year we manage to save 10mil, and in return Tobias gets an extra 35mil guaranteed for 2 more years.
Works out well for both parties. I think something that should also be noted is James Harden saying he’s thinking about going back to Houston. If that was to play out, decreasing Tobias money for next season would free up money we could spend in replacing Harden in FA.
My reducing Tobias to 29mil then 25 then 20 it makes for a much easier to move contract also should that situation arise.
You can’t restructure like in the NFL. Also even with Harden and Harris contracts off the books, it’s only enough space to sign one high contract player.
You let Tobias walk if it’s anything more than 18M. He will be 32. You’ll be coming back into having 1sts to supplement. Heck in 2 years who knows what Embiid will be. His timeline has always been shorter.
Jojo just can’t stay healthy. Harris is a number 2 scoring option on a number of NBA teams. Harden isn’t going anywhere. Maxey is the only trade chip .
Why would you even think of trading Maxey