Reports: Indiana Pacers have inquired about possible trade for Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris
According to multiple reports, the Indiana Pacers have inquired about the availability of Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris.
Harris, who turns 31 in mid-July, has been with the 76ers for the last four-and-a-half seasons. He averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this past season, and he added 2.5 assists. He defended well enough, too. He is a well-rounded forward.
In the postseason, he upped his scoring averaged to 15.3 points per game and shot 52.2% from the field. The 76ers lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer was the first to connect Harris and the Pacers. Just over one week ago, Pompey reported "The Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers have made inquiries about Harris' availability, according to a source. Looking to add a veteran player, the Pacers are showing the most interest in the 10-year veteran."
Harris is entering the final season of a five-year, $180 million deal signed in 2019. He is set to make $39.3 million this coming season, which is part of why he could be gettable in a trade despite being talented. Philly has roughly $7 million in wiggle room below the luxury tax and only nine players under contract, so filling out their team will be difficult. If they are able to trade Harris and his large contract to a different team and take back less salary, that would give them more team-building tools and flexibility.
The Pacers could have over $30 million in salary cap space this offseason, so they have the ability to make lopsided trades from a financial perspective. That allows them to offer the 76ers something that not every team can in a trade: flexibility. Harris' contract is substantial, but because it is the final season of his deal, the opportunity cost of acquiring him is as small as it has ever been.
Indiana badly needs forwards, even after selecting Jarace Walker with the eighth overall pick in the NBA Draft last week. Harris could get minutes at either the three or the four, which could be valuable for a Pacers team that is figuring out who should be long-term pieces on the wing.
"We were very, very aggressive pursuing a group of about five or six guys that would fit our timeline and fill a positional need," Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said the day following the NBA Draft. While unsaid, forwards are the biggest positional need for the blue and gold right now. "Unfortunately, those guys were not available."
Harris can shoot well enough from deep and defends the perimeter at a level that would allow him to play next to Walker, which could be appealing for the Pacers. Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files reported "the Pacers have expressed interest in the Philly wing," with regard to Harris.
Indiana has a solid collection of draft picks and player assets to make a deal work with Philadelphia if they are motivated to get Harris. NBA Free Agency starts in the afternoon on Friday.
- Jarace Walker's high school program director breaks down the Pacers' lottery pick's growth. CLICK HERE.
- Report: Indiana Pacers 'strongly weighing' a contract offer for Max Strus in free agency. CLICK HERE.
- One-on-one with Indiana Pacers first-round pick Ben Sheppard. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers have talked with Atlanta Hawks about De'Andre Hunter trade, per multiple reports. CLICK HERE.
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