There’s no doubt that the Philadelphia 76ers have been among the most talented teams recently. Joel Embiid, winning the 2022-23 MVP, marked the first player in franchise history to achieve this since Allen Iverson in 2001. Additionally, Tyrese Maxey’s rapid rise to stardom has been remarkable. Amidst the accolades for Embiid and Maxey, Tobias Harris has quietly played a pivotal role in the Sixers’ success, often unfairly criticized when things went awry in Philadelphia.
After establishing himself as a cornerstone power forward with the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers, showcasing his ability to impact games on both ends, particularly as a three-point threat, Harris was involved in a significant trade deadline move during the 2018-19 season that brought him to the Sixers. Subsequently, he signed a near-maximum five-year, $180 million contract in 2019.
Reflecting on this trade years later, Harris’ positive contributions in Philadelphia are often overlooked. Despite the team’s limited postseason success, Harris cannot be faulted for his team’s challenges. Between frequent injuries and instability in roster and coaching, Harris was underutilized.
It’s straightforward: Now seemingly at the end of his tenure with the 76ers, despite proving himself as one of the league’s top power forwards statistically, Harris averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with a 36.9% three-point shooting rate over his five-year stint. Impressively, he missed only 40 games during this period, ranking among the top 10 in games played and total minutes over the last five seasons. He also ranked second in distance traveled per game in the 2023-24 season, per Second Spectrum.
Even though Harris excels as an efficient three-point shooter, his offensive versatility has been overshadowed in Philadelphia, where he was often relegated to a catch-and-shoot role on the perimeter despite his capability to attack the rim through open lanes. Alongside Maxey and Embiid, Harris was seldom allowed to showcase his full offensive arsenal.
In the NBA, players are evaluated based on current performance rather than past achievements. Harris is a proven leader entering free agency as one of the premier talents available, especially amidst the league’s new negotiation rules. While his tenure with the 76ers didn’t meet expectations, Harris remains capable of significantly impacting any NBA team. For evidence, look no further than the advanced statistics that support his abilities.
