The Sixers open the 2021-22 season on Wednesday, Oct. 20 in New Orleans. No so-called contender will begin the new campaign with more uncertainty than the Sixers, who have an outstanding trade request from their second-best player and a simultaneous need to take the next step competitively.
Joel Embiid finished second in MVP voting last year, and there’s no reason to believe Philadelphia can’t make noise in the East. That noise will simply be accompanied by the steady humdrum of the rumor mill, which will churn relentlessly until the Ben Simmons saga is finally resolved — be it in one week, or one year.
As the sun rises on a fresh 82-game slate, let us make some bold predictions for the Sixers’ 2021-22 season.
Sixers bold predictions: Tobias Harris takes step back
Tobias Harris is no slouch. He’s the No. 2 scorer on a contender, and is fresh off the best season of his career. In 2019-20, Harris averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds, finding new life under Doc Rivers in a more streamlined role. He was decimal points away from joining the 50/40/90 club, and his name drew real buzz in the All-Star conversation.
So why a step back? I am not predicting a decrease in performance level necessarily — though I am somewhat skeptical of Harris maintaining last season’s consistency. I am simply predicting a smaller role within the offense, both short and long-term. Or, at the very least, a simple decrease in overall “production” in the box score.
In the long run, the Sixers are apt to trade Ben Simmons for another perimeter creator, likely one who will siphon points away from Harris. At best, Harris’ grip on the No. 2 scoring slot would diminish. At worst, it would dissolve entirely. CJ McCollum or Malcolm Brogdon, for example, would severely alter Harris’ offensive workload.
Even in the short term, however, expect Harris’ numbers to dip slightly. Seth Curry is coming off the best seven-game stretch of his career in the playoffs, and he continued some of that aggressiveness in the preseason. Ben Simmons or not, Curry looks primed to take a more assertive role in the offense. You also have Tyrese Maxey, who many expect to see expanded minutes as a perimeter ball-handler and lead creator. His increased involvement will no doubt benefit Harris overall, but it could limit his involvement in certain offensive actions and, by extension, cut into his points per game.