For quite some time now, the Philadelphia 76ers have been heavily burdened by the albatross contract of Tobias Harris. That is precisely why the veteran forward is commonly seen as the ideal gauntlet for the franchise to launch to try and acquire a better-fitting star that would elevate its ceiling.
However, as many already know by the very fact that he is still on the roster, finding legitimate suitors for Harris has become quite the arduous trek. Aside from surface-level inquiries, no team has really gotten fully on-board with the idea of trading for him due to his substantial cap hit and a skill set fully capable of being replicated for much cheaper.
A Tobias Harris trade is what the Philadelphia 76ers need to get their next star
For the 76ers to still make a swift change that could shift their flavor before the season begins, a Tobias Harris trade could just be what the doctor ordered for the franchise. After all, flipping the veteran’s contract would give them more than sufficient ammo to become a huge factor in the trade market, regardless of what the James Harden conundrum eventually brings.
Luckily, the market is home to a number of players who should be attractive options for Philly. And considering the organization’s spread-eagled edict to win now, here is one trade proposal that could net them that piece that can get them over the hump in the upcoming campaign.
76ers land Damian Lillard and move on from Tobias Harris in this mock blockbuster
In this proposed trade by Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia 76ers acquire superstar point guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers for Harris, guards Tyrese Maxey and Jaden Springer, a 2029 first-round pick, and the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2028 and 2030.
Lillard, who has been at the cynosure of the offseason with his overdue trade request, has had a slow development on that end. His camp has been working to iron out a deal that would send him to the Miami Heat, his preferred destination, but the Trail Blazers have made it clear they won’t yield to a lackluster offer even amidst Lillard’s limiting demands.
If this persists, the Sixers should have a realistic chance of swooping Lillard in from Miami’s grasp and regain a leg up over one of their biggest rivals and over other favorites in the Eastern Conference. Will they be willing to part even with someone like Tyrese Maxey to entice Portland? The answer seems to be no for now, but it should be an idea deserving of more than just a long and pressing amusement.
Let’s dive deeper into the implications of this trade proposal.
Why the 76ers should go all-in on Lillard
As things currently stand, even the most devout fans among the Philadelphia 76ers faithful may not be too high on the team’s staying power as a legitimate championship contender next season. After all, even if people convince themselves that a disgruntled Harden can at least produce All-Star numbers, their rivals have improved a lot this offseason while the Sixers were busy shooting themselves at the foot.
Going all-in on someone like Lillard, however, gives the franchise the easiest path to retooling while potentially still improving. Obviously, planting the seeds to get it done will require a ton out of Philly, which is justifiable considering Lillard’s level and ample roster control, but the 76ers have shown restraint on this end recently.
Tyrese Maxey will undoubtedly be the start of any engagement with Portland on a potential Lillard trade with Tobias Harris and draft compensation as pot sweeteners. That is pretty clear. Any attempt by the 76ers to cut themselves a discount check will understandably be met with dismissive resistance from the Trail Blazers brass.
Altering the timeline for a franchise clearly designed to go all-in now will be a tough balancing act for the 76ers, but if they truly want to maximize Joel Embiid’s MVP form — despite his seemingly lukewarm stance on the dramatic episodes — being more aggressive on the Lillard front could be the key, regardless of the cost.
Why the 76ers should look elsewhere instead
If Tobias Harris is the biggest name on the outgoing return package for Damian Lillard, pulling the trigger would be a no-brainer. However, having him as arguably the least significant part of the deal does not bode well for the 76ers as they embark on a more sustainable design in the art of team-building.
Acquiring Lillard obviously has massive merits, but Philly may not jump at the opportunity if it requires them to mortgage their future — their safety net behind Embiid. In addition, there’s no guarantee that the 76ers will enjoy the services of a contented Lillard, who has indicated by all means possible that his lone preference is to be traded to Miami.
Instead, what the 76ers should do is to find takers for Harden and Harris’ contracts either individually or as a bundle and hope that an interested team flips an intriguing piece of draft capital in return. Maxey is too good of a prospect and win-now piece to easily part with, and even if Lillard is at the other side of the scale, there’s no reason to believe that a core of Embiid, Maxey, and whoever the 76ers get for Harden and/or Harris has no chance of surpassing an Embiid-Lillard one.
Ultimately, this trade proposal is appealing on the surface, but requires both teams, especially the Philadelphia 76ers, to act with reckless abandon and gamble with an unhappy camper. The talent is one thing, but in a league with increasing parity, the intangibles — such as the sheer will to be on a team — start to matter just as much.
Grade: B