The offseason has only started, and yet the climax of fireworks for the Phoenix Suns seems to have came and went.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Yet now is when Phoenix has to have a good ear in trade circles when it comes to saturated positions for other teams. Such is the case with Tobias Harris, who according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, the Philadelphia 76ers are taking calls on.
”A source said the Suns want Harris to play alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal,” wrote Pompey. “And they want to acquire him before the start of free agency on June 30 because of possible second apron ramifications.
The Suns are in the mix of inquiring on Harris, but they aren’t alone. The Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons are all looking to acquire the veteran forward.
As of now, moving Harris would take a huge haul for the 76ers. Philly reportedly wanted a package of Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and a draft pick from the Cavs.
Harris’ actual ceiling could warrant a return in that ballpark, but his play since going to the 76ers doesn’t suggest such a farm mortgage from any team.
Harris hasn’t been able to crack a 20-point averaging season since landing with Philadelphia in the 2018-19 season. He finished last season averaging 14.7 points per game, his lowest since coming to the 76ers.
On the flip side, however, there is a case to be made for Harris — and his father is letting that be known.
Torrel Harris, father and agent of Tobias, stated on the Business of Sports podcast that the 76ers weren’t putting Tobias in a position to succeed:
“Personally, I don’t think so. The reason I say that, well Tobias is an assassin scorer. I mean they can’t stop him. Nobody in the league can stop him. So he’s proven that over his career even when he was with the Clippers he was an assassin scorer…
”And then [L.A.] traded him ’cause they got too good [and wanted to pivot to the draft lottery]. They offered us $80M, I turned down the $80M. They said ‘wow what are you looking for?’ I said ‘I want about $35M a year and they’re like ‘what? — I said ‘yeah, $35M a year. [They] said ‘well, we’re not gonna pay you that.’ So they traded him to the Sixers. Ever since [then] the Sixers,’ they put him in the corner.”
How Harris Can Fit with the Suns
With the Los Angeles Clippers, Harris had a focal point established around him. As he transitioned to the 76ers with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, he took a backseat to the front-leading talent.
Even as Philadelphia traded for James Harden, Harris’ role was seen as a third option primarily.
With that, being on a younger team would suffice for Harris. Coming to the Suns, however, could pose more of the same “fit” issue Harris’ father alluded to.
Harris would undoubtedly be the fourth-best option on most nights. He’d be coming behind Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and recently acquired Bradley Beal.
A deal for the 30-year-old would surely include Deandre Ayton and additional salaries from a third team. Harris is set to make $39.2 million next season.
As such, Phoenix taking on his contract will push them even further into the second tax apron.
