Utah Jazz Listed As Suitors For Sixers Free Agent Tobias Harris
May 22, 2019, 1:34 PM
Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after making a three point basket against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Now that the dust has settled after getting eliminated by the Toronto Raptors in seven games in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers are on to their next obstacle. Keeping Tobias Harris in Philadelphia.
Sixers beat Writer Keith Pompey of philly.com has reported the suitors that will be pursing Harris when teams can contact free agents on June 30. He listed the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and the Utah Jazz. All five of those teams can offer Harris a maximum contract.
The Sixers are looking ahead to the off-season and what they need to do to take the next step in “The Process.” They acquired Harris on February 6 from the Los Angeles Clippers as well as Mike Scott and Boban Marjanovic in exchange for Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala and four draft picks.
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Utah’s Salary Situation
The Jazz have a unique situation regarding the players that are under contract and potential free agents. Ricky Rubio, Thabo Sefolosha and Ekpe Udoh are all for sure free agents. Derrick Favors has the 2019-20 season of his contract under a team option, which the organization can pick up and his salary for next season is guaranteed or they can decline the option and Favors will become an unrestricted free agent.
That will likely come down to whether the Jazz want to put that money to Harris if they can convince him to play in Salt Lake City.
It is well-known that the Jazz are in need of a power forward, who can shoot from the perimeter. Harris fits that need as he averaged 20.9 points in 55 games with the Clippers last season and 18.2 points per game in 27 regular season games with the Sixers.
As it currently stands for the Jazz, they will have $73 million worth of players under contract next season. The Sixers own Harris’ bird rights, which means they can offer him more money than the five teams pursuing him can and give him an additional year. The five teams can offer a four year contract worth $141 million, while the Sixers can offer a five-year deal worth $188 million.
Sixers In A Bind
Philadelphia has five players that will for sure return to the team next season with Joel Embiid making the most money at $27 million. Ben Simmons is the next highest contract at $8 million, which is still under his rookie contract.
Harris, J.J. Redick, Marjanovic, Scott, Justin Patton, Amir Johnson, Furkan Korkmaz, T.J. McConnell, Malachi Richardson, Corey Brewer and Greg Monroe will all be free agents. Jimmy Butler has a $19.8 million player option, which means if he accepts the option, he will return for one more season in Philadelphia. If Butler declines, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
If the Sixers want to keep Butler, they will likely have to sign him to a maximum contract, with Butler likely declining his player option. They will have to decide how much Redick is worth if they decide to keep him as well as keeping and building more depth off the bench.
All of that plays into keeping Harris, which is possible. The main question is does Harris want to stay in Philadelphia? Drama has surrounded the Sixers all season with personalities in the locker room.
#Sixers free agent Tobias Harris’ suitors include #Kings, #Mavs, #Jazz, #Nets, and #Pacers, according to league sources https://t.co/TmTH7ZOWOd via @phillydotcom #NBA
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) May 22, 2019
